Binder1 saturday april 19, 2014

Saturday Edition

Sanctity of Truth Facebook.com/newtelegraph

Saturday, APRIL 19, 2014 Vol. 1 No. 60

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Nigeria’s most authoritative newspaper in politics and business

JOHN OKAFOR

My parents were goodlooking... don’t know how i got my lookS p.22

NIKKI LAOYE

LEKKI NEIGHBOURHOOD

PRUDISH PATH TO STARDOM p.21

CELEBRITIES’ NEW PLAYGROUND p.23 ProF OKON UYA, EX-ELECTORAL COMMISSION BOSS, DIES p.2 AT 71

RELIGION SHOULDN’T DETERMINE FASHOLA’S SUCCESSOR - IKUFORIJI p.45

Worshippers at the St Dominic’s Catholic Church re-enact the Cruxificion of Christ along the Murtala Muhammed Way, Yaba, Lagos, in commemoration of Good Friday.

Photo: Tony Eguaye

2015: ENUGU NORTH RESTATES GOVERNORSHIP CLAIM p.52

Despite IG’s security assurances, travellers desert Abuja parks Simeon Ogoegbulem,

Emmanuel Onani, Kenneth Tyohemba

Abuja

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s part of measures to ensure a safe Easter celebration, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, on Friday ordered zonal Assistant InspectorsGeneral of Police (AIGs) and

Commissioners of Police to provide round-the-clock security nationwide.

The operation, according to a statement signed

by Frank Mba (a Chief Superintendent of Police), “encompasses extensive counter-terrorism sweeps, detailed overt and covert surveillance operations, intelligence-driven raids, arms mop-up exercise,

lDeath toll in Wukari crisis now 24, say police special stop and search exercise, amongst others”.

But a survey of major parks in Abuja by New Telegraph’s correspondents reveal that residents may not be totally convinced by such assurances, as they mostly stayed away from motor parks which, before Monday’s early morning

blast at the Nyanya Central Park, teemed with activities.

Operatives to prosecute the renewed security arrangements, are to be drawn from the Force’s Bomb Disposal Squad, Counter-Terrorism Units, Police Mobile Force and Joint Border Patrol Units.

Also to join in the opera-

tion are, Force Intelligence Bureau, Police Dog Section as well as regular police teams.

They are “to pay special attention to motor parks, airports, seaports, border points, recreation parks, major markets, shopping malls”.

According to the statement: “The Police High Command strongly advises own-

ers of unregistered vehicles to withdraw them from the highways immediately. Persons and companies operating vehicles painted in police colours or bearing police insignia are also advised to withdraw them from public roads forthwith as field opCONTINUED ON PAGE 2

SURVIVORS RECOUNT ABUJA’S DAY OF TERROR p.50 | NIGERIAN IN UK FOUND GUILTY OF STABBING MUM 40 TIMES p.10

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Content 19.04.14 INSTYLE

Rocking the Easter

In addition to celebrating the Easter with family members, there’s no better way to rock the feast than donning a traditional attire. But you have got to be creative. }16

AIRWAVES

TV Nostalgia

Where did my favourite television programmes go? Our TV critic rues the unceremonious resting of some popular programmes like The Debaters sponsored

by GTBank.}18

SHOWBIZ

Millionaires’ Playground

Top-tier artistes are finding the allure of Lekki - a prime Lagos neighbourhood - irresistible and are moving there in droves for those able to afford the hefty price. As they say, fame doesn’t come cheap. }23

SPORT

Reality Check

Amid the brimming optimism ahead of the World Cup, former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, has clicked the reality check button, pointing out his fears about the supposed underdogs of Group F, Iran and Bosnia.}25

LOVE & LIVING

Cupid’s Recipe

Food and romance. Have you ever doubted that the food you eat plays an important role in your love life? Well, there’s no doubt you won’t anymore once you have read this}38

TRAVEL & TOURISM

Bayelsa in AMAA Mood

As movie stars swarm Bayelsa State for the annual Africa Movies Academy Award, the state capital Yenagoa goes into a frenzied mood.

Here’s a highlight of the must-see for the visitors.}42

Okon Uya, Ex-National Electoral Commission chair, dies at 71 Ndubuisi Ugah with agency reports

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ormer Chairman of the National Electoral Commission of Nigeria (NECON), during the regime of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, Prof. Okon Uya, is dead.

Uya, a Professor of African-American History and one-time Nigerian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Argentina, died Thursday afternoon, at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH).

A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent, who visited the deceased’s 149 Parliamentary Road residence, reported that his relatives and many members of the church he attended were around.

An employee of the University of Uyo, Mr. Edet Uya, who is a sibling of the deceased, confirmed the death of their brother.

“I feel very bad. He has been my mentor, but I thank God for everything. He gave his life to God before he passed on,” he said.

travellers desert Abuja parks CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

eratives have been directed to arrest and bring to book all such violators.

“Similarly, owners of uncompleted buildings are to keep them clear of undesirable elements and to report to the police all unauthorised persons inhabiting such places.”

The Monday blast which killed 75 and injured over two hundred people has discouraged travellers heading out of Abuja for the Easter holidays from using the major motor parks. The situation has affected the movement of people in and out of the FCT. There is also an apparent reluctance to go to motor parks, markets and other public squares.

From Jabi Central Motor Park to Wazobia Park in Gwagwalada, Zuba Park, and other smaller parks located in Kubwa, Kuje and the city centre, the story of scanty commuters was the same.

Many people seeking to travel out of Abuja were seen standing by the road-

side with the hope of boarding vehicles heading in their direction rather than simply board vehicles at the parks.

However, the security scare has proved to be a boon to private car owners who made brisk business by picking passengers who were too eager to board the vehicles at even higher fares.

A driver whose bus traverses the Abuja-Eastern route ruled out fare increase, a common practice at festive periods. “Is it not when you record high influx of passengers that you think of fare increase? What we are praying for now is to get our bus filled,” he said ruefully.

At New Nyanya Park located a few metres from the scene of last Monday’s blast, the situation was more pathetic. The park was deserted by commuters as only a few drivers were seen when New Telegraph visited yesterday.

A traveller who was seen boarding a vehicle to Makurdi by the road side in Maraba said he was afraid to go into

motor parks for “fear of any unforeseen mishap”.

Meanwhile, the movement from Keffi Road into the FCT has continue to pose a challenge for vehicular movement as security agents embarked on stop and search at Nyanya Market. Many commuters were stranded as a result as many waited for hours at various bus stops to board vehicles that were largely unavailable. The few available taxis charged exorbitantly.

A shop owner at Nyanya market, Mr. Eric Nwaguma, said it was a bad Easter for business at Nyanya , as “buyers are afraid to come to the market despite tight security on the ground”.

When New Telegraph visited Wuse Market yesterday, normal business activities were going on. However traders complained of low sales which they attributed to the effect of the blast on transportation in the nation’s capital.

Meanwhile, the police in Taraba have said the death

toll from Wukari crisis has risen to 24.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Joseph Kwaji, an assistant superintendent, made the disclosure to journalists on Friday in Wukari.

A News Agency of Nigeria report quoted Kwaji as saying that 34 persons were injured while 99 houses were burnt during the crisis. The state’s acting governor, Alhaji Garba Umar, has said the 24-hour curfew on Wukari will continue till the security agents are satisfied there is an improvement in the security situation.

Umar said this on Friday in Wukari during a visit to the troubled area to ascertain the extent of damage following the crisis in the area. “In my opinion, it is not yet time to relax the curfew imposed on Wukari because the youth are still very angry.

Even this morning a house was burnt close a security check point in Wukari town,” he said.

APC to Jonathan: Don’t make political gain out of nation’s woes Ndubuisi Ugah

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he All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of politicising the nation’s security challenges by engaging in what it calls “outright deception to exclude APC governors” from the meeting he (Jonathan) convened on Thursday to discuss the security situation in the country.

In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said: ‘’It is now clear that despite their inability to protect lives and property and to stop the terrorists attacks in the country, the presidency and the PDP are not interested in any genuine efforts to end the worsening security situation.

“It is patently obvious that their aim is to make political capital out of the tragedy that has befallen

Nigeria, rather than to ameliorate the cruel fate being daily suffered by the citizens.’’

The party said after the presidency publicly invited all state governors to the meeting, it then “clandestinely” reached out to the APC governors to say the meeting had been called off, only to turn around and blame them for shunning the meeting.

“The Kwara State Government confirmed that its chief detail received a call from the presidency to the effect that the meeting had been called off. Then, the Deputy Governor of Borno State, who had already arrived in Abuja for the meeting, also learnt that it has been called off.

“Curiously, the meeting that was announced publicly by the presidency was not even listed among the President’s official engagement for Thursday.

“Despite all these glaring evidences of a grand plot to exclude APC Governors, the

President’s assistant on New Media Reno Omokri... took to Twitter to tell the world that the APC Governors shunned the meeting and to accuse them of playing politics with national security.

“Unfortunately, while Omokri was tweeting lies, the chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Gov. Godswill Akpabio, was telling journalists that the APC Governors were not invited to the meeting, and that it was initiated by the PDP Governors (not minding that the Governors of states controlled by APGA and Labour Party were in attendance).

“The Presidency is playing a dangerous game by seeking to make political capital out of an insurgency that has claimed thousands of lives, and done incalculable damage to property and the economy. It is now clear that this Presidency has its eyes firmly fixed on benefitting from the insurgency, and that it had no interest in any genuine measures

to end it.

“Were it not so, the presidency and the PDP would not have attempted to deceive the whole nation into believing that the APC Governors shunned a meeting to address the issue.

“Were it not so, President Jonathan would not have been dancing in Kano, where he went on an illegal electioneering campaign, less than 24 hours after 75 of his compatriots were killed in a bomb blast in Abuja, and even as school girls were being abducted in Borno.

“Were it not so, the PDP would not have acted to insensitively and irresponsibly by blaming the opposition even as the nation was still grieving.,’’ it said.

APC, however, reiterated its earlier statement that in the overriding interest of the nation, it is willing and ready to be part of all genuine efforts to end the terrorist attacks, and that only a non-partisan approach could end the security crisis.

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Religious crisis: Soyinka advocates study of comparative religion in schools ADVOCACY Nobel Laureate advocates ways of resolving religious crisis Adeolu Adeyemo Osogbo

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obel Laureate, Professor Whole Soyinka, yesterday said one of the solutions to the religious violence in the country was the introduction of the study of comparative religion in the nation’s schools.

Soyinka, who made the recommendation while‪ delivering a keynote address at the ongoing colloquium organised by the Centre for Black Culture

and International Understanding in Osogbo, Osun State, said: “If our children are made to understand the history and provisions of other religions, there will be no room for disaffection for adherents of other religion.”

He stated that if this was introduced in schools, people would be more enlightened on religious tolerance and have respect for one another on religious matters.

“The Book Haram insurgency is because of lack of education.If the youths that are participating in the Boko Haram destruction had being trained to know the peculiarities of other religions, they would never be involved in shedding of blood.

“The teaching of comparative religion studies at prima-

ry and secondary school levels will devellop our youths and expose them the more to religious tolerance,” he said.

He, however, warned against etching on the minds of younger generations’ religious intolerance.‬ ‪Soyinka, who is the Chairman of Osogbo Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding, said the almajiris were “foot soldiers” of the outlawed Boko Haram sect whose minds had been poisoned by the sect’s ideology.

“The seed sown long time ago, was responsible for the crises ravaging the country presently,” he said.

The Nobel Laureate, who also remarked that Boko Haram insurgency should not be mistaken for a religious war,

maintained that prayers alone could not end the crises.‬ “I have never said prayer can help resolve the security challenges facing Nigeria. I believe the situation must be tackled without partisanship and all these uninformed comments cannot help the situation. We should wake up to the reality, Nigeria is in war and only competence can solve the problem, not prayers,” he said.

Declaring open the event, Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, said: “The only way to respect God was by showing respect to human beings.”

He said the “practice of faith in a manner that encourage peaceful coexistence of people is the solution to religious crisis.”

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NEWS EDITOR, SATURDAY:

NDUBUISI UGAH

ndubuisi.ugah@newtelegraphonline.com; nduby001@yahoo.com; 08033617741

The Week Ahead

Jossy Nkwocha’s book presentation holds April 20 IGBO Heritage Publishers Incorporated, Owerri, will release a new book ‘NGOR: A Historical, Cultural, Political and Socio-Economic Analyses’ by Dr. Jossy Nkwocha, on April 20. The 120-page book will be presented at Ngor Centre, in Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State.

National Conference c’ttees resume April 22

The National Conference has adjourned plenary indefinitely to allow the standing committees begin sitting on April 22 after the Easter celebration. The motion for the adjournment was moved by the former Akwa Ibom State Governor and delegate, Obong Victor Atta and seconded by Mrs. Josephine Anenih. Atta, while moving for adjournment, called for proper time management to enable delegates meet up with the three months duration of the conference.

Literature exhibition begins from April 22 The international literature and culture exhibition to be organised by Port Harcourt World Book Capital will hold from April 22 to 26, while the international literature exhibition will hold from April 22 to 24 at hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt at 9a.m. daily.

Jonathan reschedules security meeting for April 23 The expanded National Security Council (NSC) meeting with all state governors summoned by President Goodluck Jonathan has been rescheduled for April 23. Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State and Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, announced this to State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Akpabio said after a two-hour closed-door meeting of the governors of the PDP, Labour Party (LP) and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) controlled states with national security chiefs, presided over by the president.

SESSPN holds devt forum April 24

The national executive of the South East South South Professionals of Nigeria (SESSPN) will on April 24 to 25 hold the South East South South Development Forum 2014 at Grand Hotel, Asaba, the Delta State capital.

L-R: President Goodluck Jonathan; his mother, Eunice; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), Mr. John Kennedy, and others, during the Good Friday Church Service to mark the Easter Day Celebration, at Aso Rock Villa Chapel, in Abuja... yesterday PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

JTF deploys troop in Rivers community over killing of monarch, two others Chris Ejim Yenagoa

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uthorities of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) code named Operation Pulo Shield yesterday confirmed the deployment of troops Ibaa community of Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, following the killing of three persons in an intra-communal clash in the area.

According to the security report by the JTF, Ibaa community has since January being involved in chieftaincy tussle and killings with schools,

hospitals and markets shut down and indigenes deserting the community.

The report revealed that two rival cult groups known as the Islanders and Icelanders were allegedly hired by contending factions involved in the chieftaincy tussle and allegedly terrorising the people of the community, looting, raping and damaging properties, especially at nights.

Confirming the deployment of the troops in the community, the JTF Commander, Major General Atewe, said the deployment became nec-

essary to the rising report of pipeline vandalism, oil theft and cultism by armed groups involved in the crises rocking the community.

Atewe, while conducting journalists round the community, said military personnel had been deployed here to ensure that peace and normalcy returns.

“JTF is working in collaboration with other security agencies to restore peace and normalcy in the community,” he said.

An indigene of the community, Mr. Ndubuisi Mbadike, said the bandits looted

and damaged his store.

“They damaged my only store. In fact, it was only God that saved me. Everybody has ran away from the community.

All these women you are seeing here, they only come to do small work; In the evening they will run to other communities because they (the cult members) will rape people’s wives,” he said.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the community, Mr. Sunday Amadi, alleged that a prominent chief of the community was among those killed in January.

Private jet: Reps probe of Alison-Madueke begins April 28 The House of Representatives will on April 28, after reconvening from Easter break, commence investigations into the alleged spending of about N10billion allegedly spent by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, on charter of a private jet.

APGA: Court adjourns Umeh’s appeal to April 29 The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division has adjourned hearing on the appeal brought by Chief Victor Umeh and Dr. A.I. Shinkafi, challenging the judgment of a Federal High Court, Abuja, which had ousted them as the national chairman and national secretary respectively of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to April 29 for definite hearing.

ELAN training begins April 29 The Equipment Leasing Association of Nigeria (ELAN) will hold a two-day lease training programme in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital from April 29 to 30. The course: ‘Lease structuring and documentation’ is designed to acquaint practitioners with the diverse variables that come to play in the pricing and structuring of a lease and equip them with the knowledge in handling these issues.

Book, Arts festival holds April 29

The International Restoration Book and arts Festival holds in Ikenne, Ogun State from April 29 to May 7. The event is expected to feature exhibition and discussion sessions on the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s books and photographs.

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EASTER CELEBRATION… EASTER CELEBRATION…

Pray against bloodshed in Ekiti, Bamidele tells christians Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

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L-R: Chief Security Officer (CSO), St. Dominic Catholic Church, Yaba, Lagos, Mr. Uchenna Okogbuo; Parish Priest, Rev. Father Felix Onemheghie and Chairman, Oganising Committee, Mr. Aloysius Iwu, during a press briefing on the significant of Good Friday. …… yesterday PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE

Ihedioha, govs, Awoniyi, clerics task Nigerians on peace Ndubuisi Ugah, Biodun Oyeleye, Sola Adeyemo and Raiyegbemi Joseph Kehinde with agency reports

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hristian faithful in Nigeria yesterday joined their counterparts worldwide to celebrate the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ on Good Friday.

To celebrate the day, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Emeka Ihedioha, Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi; his Plateau State counterpart, Mr. Jonah Jang and former Kwara State governor, Senator Bukola Saraki, urged Nigerians, especially Christians to imbibe the lessons of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ in their dealings.

Equally, Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yomi Awoniyi and Speaker of Kwara State House of Assembly, Alhaji Razaq Atunwa, called for a sober reflection by Christians at Easter.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Good Friday marks the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary.

Ihedioha, in a statement issued in Abuja, by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr. Oke Epia, urged Christians to remember that Easter was a time to recognise the miracles that God brought by the death of Jesus Christ.

He wished that all Nige-

rians would partake in the blessing of the season “knowing that the beautiful mystery of Easter was the final act of God expressing his love to us.”

In his Easter message issued in Ibadan, by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo, Ajimobi urged Christians to use the occasion to pray fervently for the country to overcome the security challenges it was currently facing.

Speaking through his Director of Press, Mr. James Mannok, Jang said due to the sacrifice made by Christ, Nigerians should strive to stand on the path of truth, respect of human dignity and love for all God’s creation as the Bible professes.

On his part, Saraki said: “As this season is celebrated; we must be conscious of thematic issues surrounding the death and resurrection of Christ, that is, sacrifice for men and love for others the way you love yourself; and apply these themes to our daily lives and relationships to one another as Nigerians in order to move our society and the nation at large forward.”

Speaking also, Awoniyi, in a statement issued by his Press Secretary, Mr. Michael Abu, in Lokoja, urged Christians to allow the spirit of sacrifice, forgiveness and love for one another to be their watchwords.

On the security challenges, he said: “I want those who feel cheated to overlook, those

who are denied to be patient, and those who feel offended to forgive for the good of the nation.”

Atunwa urged Nigerians not to use the occasion for mere merry making but for sober reflection on issues aggravating political and social upheaval, economic stagnation, suspicion, and civil unrest among Nigerians.

However, some clergy in their messages urged the leaders at all levels of government to imbibe the spirit of selflessness as demonstrated

by Jesus Christ.

They said Good Friday was a day of deep penitence for Christians to reflect on the life and death of Christ who paid the supreme price for human redemption.

In Lagos, Bishop Emeritus, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Adebola Ademowo, said good leadership would be best demonstrated by selfless and sacrificial living.

“They should be sacrificial in their services to our great country. We should begin to equip ourselves with the right education, orientation and skills that will make us competitive and capable to take the reins of power and lead Nigerians,” Ademowo said.

Also, Director of Social Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Monsignor Gabriel Osu, urged Christians to embrace peace in all aspects of their lives.

Osu enjoined Christians to pray for the repose of the souls of Nigerians, who lost their lives in bomb blasts, kidnapping and ritual murders across the country.

In Nsukka, Enugu State, the Overseer of Christ Victory Church, Pastor Edwin Urama, said what Nigerians needed to restore peace and unity was to rededicate themselves to God in prayer.

“The insurgency facing the country is the handiwork of the devil to tear the country apart. We must seek God’s intervention so as to end the present senseless killings and destruction of property by Boko Haram,” Urama said.

In Oyo State, Pastor Isaac Bamisaye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Blessed Parish Agbokojo, Ibadan, said the situation in Nigeria could only be solved by prayer and God. “We need to humble ourselves and cry to God because only prayer and God’s intervention will bring serenity in Nigeria,” Bamisaye said.

In Bauchi, Chairman of the Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN), North-East Zone, Rev. Shuiabu Byal, advised Christians to pray for peaceful coexistence at all times.

Byal, a Senior Lecturer at ECWA Theological Centre, Bayara, said the mission of Jesus on earth personify peaceful coexistence.

he governorship candidate of Labour Party (LP) in the coming election in Ekiti State, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele, has urged the people of the state to pray for the success of the poll as they celebrate Easter festivity.

In a message on yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, Bamidele congratulated Christians across the state for witnessing yet another Easter, urging them to remain committed and fervent in prayers for sustainable peaceful co-existence among all religious bodies in the state.

“If we believe in the existence of God and share the doctrine that he controls the affairs of men, no politi-

cian will rig election, or kill because he wants to serve the people at all cost. Power comes from God and He gives it to whoever He likes.

“I charge our people to pray against bloodshed during this Easter festivity and seek God’s face for radical development that would banish poverty out of the land to be witnessed by Ekiti populace,” he said.

The House of Representatives member also appealed to Christians to remember the sacrifice the Lord Jesus Christ had to make on the Cross of Calvary for the world to remain in peace, saying Christians must continue to emulate the gesture and make personal sacrifices for the country to be at peace.

PDP wants Nigerians to pray for the nation

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he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on Nigerians, irrespective of religious persuasions to use the occasions of Good Friday and Easter celebrations to pray for the nation.

This is contained in a statement signed by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Olise Metuh, in Abuja yesterday.

Metuh also urged Nigerians to rededicate themselves to the values that unite and bind all citizens as one people under one God. Metuh said Nigeria was blessed with human and natural resources that could be harnessed for the good of all, if the citizens learnt to live together in peace and harmony.

The party spokesman stressed that Nigerians as peace-loving people had

shown resilience and determination to live together and succeed as a people.

He expressed the hope that the nation would surely overcome its challenges as exemplified in the triumph of Jesus Christ over death.

Metuh, therefore, urged Nigerians to use this year’s Easter celebrations to permanently put behind all divisive tendencies and focus only on the good of the nation and the welfare of one another.

“Let us use this Easter to rededicate ourselves to all the things that bind us together.

Our continuous peace and unity remain non-negotiable.

Let old things be passed away and let all things be new as we join hands together to ensure that the labours of our heroes past shall never be in vain,” he said.

Glo preaches love, sacrifice

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igeria’s only operational national telecoms carrier, Globacom, has urged Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice, love and compassion which Easter Festival symbolises, in order to make the country greater.

A statement issued by the company to felicitate with Christians on the Easter Festival, further stated: “Nigeria is blessed with abundant human and natural resources.

We have no doubt that with the rich potential for growth, unity of purpose and concerted, altruistic efforts, Nigeria will overcome its present challenges and achieve true greatness in the nearest future.”

The statement assured subscribers of quality communication services during and after the Easter festival and urged them to avail themselves of the numerous offerings on the network.

Rotate River governship slot among senetorial districts –MOSOP Charles Onyekwere Port Harcourt

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he Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) has advocated for the rotation of the office of the governor of Rivers State on senatorial basis instead of the defunct Upland/Riverine divide.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Media/Public Affairs Advisor to the MOSOP President, Bariara Kpalap.

MOSOP declared that the issue of upland/riverine dichotomy had died in the state for good.

“We would like to remind proponents of this negative approach that it was this same upland/riverine resort that denied us the creation of Port Harcourt state in the past, which benefits would

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have been unquantifiable.

There are several similar cases that litter our records and would remain fresh in our memories.

“Resurrecting this dire tendency, in our view, is a regrettable set back to mutual co-existence and an attempt to decimate the hailed and subsisting accord rotating the office of governor of Rivers State amongst the three senatorial zones of the state,” the group stated.

The statement further added that the fact that all the communities in the state have abided by the principles of the understanding, it ensured that Rivers South West and Rivers East senatorial districts produced governors of the state provides evidence that upland/riverine divide is dead and buried.

OGBOMOSO

ADO-EKITI

KADUNA

Muslim group tasks FG on security Fayemi to start teaching at The National Executive Committee of the state’s varsity

NEWS IN BRIE F

Ansar-ud-deen Society (ADS) has called on the Federal Government to find a permanent solution to the security challenges facing the country.

The group made the call in a statement signed by its President, Alhaji Lateef Okunnu, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ogbomoso yesterday.

The group implored President Goodluck Jonathan to immediately convene a meeting with the presidents of Cameroun, Chad and Niger Republic with a view to tackling the insurgency in some parts of the country.

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Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State has said he will start teaching at the state-owned university in October this year.

Fayemi, who disclosed this to journalists in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, said his decision to return to class job was borne out of his interest in mentoring the younger ones as well as provide the right type of leadership.

The governor also said he intended to reduce the current N50,000 fees payable per student to the barest minimum.

Association solicits training for health officers The President, Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria in Kaduna State, Mr. Yandeh Ahmed, has suggested adequate training for health officers across the country for better performance.

Ahmed made the call in Abuja, yesterday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

“There is lack of manpower development and training for the existing officers; when you graduate from school with the residual knowledge, you need professional training to enhance performance,” he said.

Why we shelved planned nationwide strike -NUPENG Jude Opara Abuja

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he Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has explained why it shelved an earlier planned nationwide strike, following the peaceful resolution of the crisis that had rocked the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN).

The union said it shelved the strike as it was no longer necessary to embark on the protest action since IPMAN crisis had been addressed.

National Chairman of the oil and gas branch of NUPENG, Chief Bennett Korie, told journalists in his office in Abuja, during the week, that the leadership of his organisation was happy, following the resolution of the IPMAN crisis.

The crisis, which rocked

IPMAN recently had affected the circulation of petroleum products across the country.

Meanwhile, the newly inaugurated president of IPMAN, Chief Lawson Obasi, has assured both the marketers and the Nigerian masses of an era of fresh air devoid of the painful fuel crisis and the attendant consequences.

He said with the inauguration of a new leadership that is widely accepted by all members, the era of impunity that led to the crisis which lingered for years will be a thing of the past.

Obasi said the emergence of a cabal that decided to make life unbearable for others by appropriating allocation of petroleum resources to themselves instead of making sure it went round accounted for lingering fuel scarcity which he insisted is artificial.

Minister makes case for East-West Road

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he Supervising Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Darius Ishaku, has appealed to the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) to increase funding for the East-West Road.

Ishaku, who made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the Chairman of SURE-P, Gen. Martin Agwai (rtd.), in Abuja, said the intervention by SURE-P in 2013 had contrib-

uted immensely toward the realisation of the project.

The minister was there to brief the chairman on the progress made on the EastWest Road project.

Ishaku, who said the provision of N30 billion for the project in the 2014 budget of the ministry was inadequate, pointed out that if more money was not made available, the target date would not be realisable.

L-R: Ambassador of Vietnam to Nigeria, H.E,Hoang Ngoc Ho; Ambassador of Mexico to Nigeria H.E, Marco Antonio Garcia, and host, Dr.Uzor Orji Kalu, reading the New Telegraph Newspaper, during a dinner organised by the former governor of Abia State for some Ambassadors in Abuja.

Photo: Timothy Ikuomenisan.

First Lady donates medical items to Nyanya blast victims

� Obanikoro assures Nigerians on security � ECOWAS condoles with FG Ndubuisi Ugah and Wale Elegbede with agency reports

T

he First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, yesterday in Abuja, distributed medical items to the hospitalised victims of the Nyanya bomb blast.

Also, Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, paid a visit to injured victims of the bomb blast at the Asokoro District Hospital in Abuja, where he urged the public to provide information to security agents in order to check terror acts.

The blast, which occurred

in April 14, in Nyanya, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), was officially reported to have claimed 75 lives.

The First Lady, who was represented by the National Coordinator of her NGO, the Women for Change and Development Initiative, Mrs. Rabi Ibrahim, said: “We want to show love in the spirit of the Easter to aid our brothers and sisters recuperate well.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the items were distributed at the National Hospital, which is one of the hospitals, where the injured victims are undergoing treatment.

The first lady added: “We also want to use this opportunity to call on the perpetrators to embrace dialogue and shun violence.”

She pledged to go round the government hospitals, where the victims are receiving treatment, to monitor and check their progress.

The Director, Medical Services, Dr. Jaffe Momoh, who received the items on behalf of the hospital, thanked the First lady for the kind and humane gesture.

In the same vein, Obanikoro, while on the visit, said the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan is determined to remain fo-

cused and to ensure that the dividends of democracy are impacted on every Nigerian citizen home and abroad.

“President Goodluck Jonathan is determined to protect lives and improve on our security networks. I am assuring you all that this administration is focused and determined to affect positively the lives of all Nigerians home and abroad,” he said.

Meanwhile, President of ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Kadré Ouédraogo, also condoled with President Goodluck Jonathan, bereaved families and Nigerians over the bomb blast at Nyanya Motor Park in Abuja.

N469.9m

63.1%

3.63m

The IGR realized from other revenue sources of Taraba State in 2010.

The percentage of male internet users of Poland in 2012.

The total number of internet users in Greece in 2008.

(Source: National Bureau of Statistics)

(Source: Itu.int)

(Source: Blatantworld.com)

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ADO-EKITI Ogundipe appointed CMD of EKSUTH N EWS I N BRIEF

Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has confirmed the appointment of Dr. Kolawole Ogundipe as the substantive Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti.

In a letter dated April 17, 2014 and signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Folake Olomojobi, said the appointment was with immediate effect. The Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon was appointed in acting capacity in 2013.

320,000

The total number of internet users in Yemen in 2007.

Source: blatantworld.com

IKEJA

FCT

APC chieftain condemns IITA lauds success of ‘Agripreneur’ programme Boko Haram attacks The International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan, Oyo State has expressed satisfaction with the success recorded by a programme it introduced, aimed at encouraging youths to embrace agriculture.

A statement issued by the Information Officer of the institute, Mr. Godwin Atser, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Abuja, said the institute established the programme, called Agripreneurs’ in 2012, as a platform to be used to change the minds of youths towards agricultural development.

377m

TThe number of active mobile-broadband subscriptions of the Americas in 2012.

(Source: Itu.int)

A presidential aspirant in the 2011 general election, Mr. Francis Onabis, has condemned the recent bombing and murder of Nigerians in Nyanya, Abuja as well as the abduction of 200 school girls gunmen in Borno State.

Onabis in a statement signed by his media officer, Ayokunle Oloye, said the attack on innocent citizens of the country has proved conclusively that the Federal Government and security agencies have no idea as to how to confront growing terrorism.

“We urge the Federal Government to sit up and take necessary actions to protect the lives and property of the citizenry,” he said.

N18.2m

The IGR realized from road taxes of Zamfara State in 2012.

(Source: National Bureau of Statistics)

Fifth Columnist: Group seeks review of security arrangement Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

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ational President of Afonja Descendants Union (ADU) in Ilorin, Kwara State, Alhaji AbdulKareem Olola-Kasum, yesterday urged President Goodluck Jonathan to take another look at the structure of his defence arrangement with a view to finding out if fifth columnists were existing in the whole set up.

Olola-Kasum in a statement made available to journalists in Ilorin, following the bomb blast in Abuja, said the event might have been an expression of a no-confidence vote by angry members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) than an act of

terrorism by the violent Bokkoo Haram sect, hence the need to fish them out.

He said it had become incumbent on President Jonathan to address the nation over the security issues, particularly the latest act, which he described as a ‘dare devil open challenge’ to the capability of the administration to handle internal security.

“The unfortunate sporadic bloody blast constitutes a dare-devil open challenge to the capability of the Jonathan’s administration to provide security of life and property for the ordinary citizen as well as the capacity of his administration to defend the territorial integrity of the nation which is his primary responsibility,” the statement stated.

Amaechi awards contracts for roads, drainages in Omoku Charles Onyekwere Port Harcourt

T L-R: Commissioner for Agriculture, Ondo State, Mr. Lasisi Oluboyo; Chairman, Ondo State Cocoa Revolution Implementation Committee, Dr. Jibayo Oyebade and Governor Olusegun Mimiko, during a visit to the 2,000 hectares Ondo State cocoa plantation at Oda, in Akure… on Thursday

APGA: Why we want to enjoy Federal High Court relief –Okwu JUDGEMENT Chief Maxi Okwu-led APGA moves to give effect to court ruling Leo Sobechi Enugu

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ational Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Maxi Okwu, has said his decision to wait until now to take full relief of the Federal High Court, Abuja judgment, which sacked the Victor Umeh-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the party was propelled by obedience to the rule of law.

Speaking to journalists on his resolution to reclaim the APGA headquarters

in Abuja, Okwu noted that though the case is on appeal at the Court of Appeal, “the law is settled that the decision of a Court remains valid and must be complied with until it is set aside.”

He added that the striking out of the judgment debtors’ application for stay of execution of the Abuja Federal High Court judgment of January 2014 ends an important stage of the litigation contending that when juxtaposed with the proceedings of the Court of Appeal on April 8, 2014, “we are now fully entitled to enjoy the fruits of our judgment.”

While stating that he wrote to the Inspector General of Police and the Commissioner of Police, Abuja FCT, Okwu disclosed that when the police officer at the

APGA secretariat wanted to give the impression that the Commissioner of Police has not read his letter, “I told him the commissioner has read it and minuted down; and gave him the document to sight.”

The APGA chairman explained that “what we did was because we are law abiding, unlike Umeh who is not law abiding; they heard the judgment of Abuja High Court and started insulting the court and appointing Obi as BoT chairman, instead of waiting for his appeal or applying for a stay of execution.”

“But we erred on the side of caution by waiting to enforce the judgment until the application for stay was struck out; as a lawyer you do not do anything to frus-

trate the court, that was the principle upon which we wrote to the Chief Judge of Anambra State notifying him that as a party in a case he should preserve the res (matter for adjudication).

“So, we were bound by the law until it was set aside,” he noted, adding that even though Umeh’s appeal is still pending in the Court of Appeal, “Court does not stay declarative judgment”.

He stressed that in his desperation to get a breather from the court, Umeh filed application for stay of execution of the judgment in both the Federal High Court and Court of Appeal, pointing out his counsel moved a motion for the application to be strike out which he said the court did.

he host communities of the oil and gas companies in Omoku, the headquarters of Ogba/Egbema Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, have heaved a sign of relief, following the award of internal roads and drainages in the area by Governor Chibuike Amaechi.

Amaechi, who acknowledged the contribution of the oil reach communities to the growth of the economy, said his government is committed to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.

But the Special Adviser to Amaechi on Strategic Planning, Mr. Okay Okirie, who is a native of the area, told the New Telegraph that

what other previous governments could not do for his people, the governor had been able to do it.

Okirie said he was optimistic that the roads and drainages would be completed before the end of next year.

He commended Amaechi on the quality of the contractor assigned on the job, urging his people to support governor Amaechi-led administration as to reap more dividends of democracy.

He said: “We are happy for the Award of the internal roads and drainages, there are also some projects executed by this administration that has been completed and commissioned. My people are excited because this is what they have been yearning for.

APC flays Sambo over comments

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he All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has described the statement allegedly credited to the Vice-President, Namadi Sambo, that the July 21 and August 9 elections in Ekiti and Osun States will be ‘a war’ that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will ‘fight’ to regain the two states at all cost as unfortunate and uncalled for.

According to the APC, this is a sadistic declaration of war by a government on its own people and it is also

patent evidence that the PDP is the actual cause of the war Nigeria have been having in recent time, including that of Boko Haram.

In a statement issued yesterday in Osogbo by the party’s Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Mr. Kunle Oyatomi, the APC warned that the PDP should think twice before it imports war to the Western part of the country that has been the most peaceful area since the return of democracy.

Sterling Bank sponsors private screening of ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’

A

fter it has successfully established itself as a reference point in education and the environment, Sterling Bank Plc is set to continue positively its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) drive in the entertainment industry as it sponsors two private screenings of the eagerly awaited film ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’ .

The film, according to a statement from the bank, is an adaptation of Chimamanda Adichie’s novel which depicts the relationships between the four prime characters and how these were affected by the Nigerian Civil War, and the triumph of love over war.

The screenings, which would hold over the weekend in Lagos,is exclusively for the customers of the bank and is aimed at rewarding loyalty and sustained business relationship.

This, according to the Group Head, Strategy and Communications of Sterling Bank, Mr. Shina Atilola, is in line with the major Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of the bank, which is focused on education, entertainment and the environment.

The film, which was directed by Biyi Bandele, featured stars like the British -Nigerian actor, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Hollywood actresses, Thandie Newton and Anika Noni Rose and Nigerian entertainer, Onyeka Onwenu.

The lead cast is sup-

ported by several Nigerian actors including Genevieve Nnaji, O C Ukeje, Zack Orji, Tina Mba and Gloria Young.

It also stars John Boyega and Joesph Mawle.

Atilola explained that the partnership between the Bank and the entertainment industry is one of great importance to the brand as it further deepens its involvement in entertainment covering sports with partnerships with the national School Sports Festival NSSF nationally and the Arsenal Partnership globally and the hosting and screening of a critically acclaimed global movie Half Of A Yellow Sun is just another step in that direction.

“We are committed to establishing the Bank as a dedicated and focused brand leader in the area of education. We have published two books on Financial Literacy for children: My Little Money Book & FUNDS. Likewise, we are keen to further strengthen our position in the entertainment industry by supporting its growth, development and creating value across all segments, be it sports, film, the Arts, music or any area in the entertainment ecosystem,” he said.

These exclusive screenings gives its customers access to the film he described as one of the Nigeria’s finest export brands given its unique story line even before its official release to the Nigerian public come April 25.

Forum wants FG to tackle insecurity holistically Sani Muh’d Sani Bauchi

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hairman, Democratic Elders Forum (DEF), Bauchi State, Alhaji Shuaibu Isa, yesterday advised President Good luck Jonathan and Northern leaders to as a matter of urgency address the issue of insecurity, which was threatening the peace of the nation.

Isa, who urged the leaders to have the fear of God and address the problems holistically, said Nigeria had not in the last 70 years witnessed the kind of mass killings of its citizens, which it had witnessed in recent times.

NEWS

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The DEF chairman called on the leaders to emulate the likes of “Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and others”, who ruled Nigeria with patriotism without looking at ethnic or religious differences.

Isa advised delegates to the National Conference to shun the ideas of those who want all regions in the country to control their resources explaining that it is the jurisdiction of the National Assembly and appeal to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct all election in one day in order to ensure fairness and justice to all.

GUSAU Zamfara spends N130m on fumigation

NEWS IN BRIE F

The Zamfara State Government said it spent N130 million to fumigate the state as part of its efforts to tackle malaria in the state.

The Director-General, State Environmental Sanitation Agency (ZESA), Alhaji Shehu Na’Allah, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Gusau yesterday.

Na’Allah said the government decided to fumigate 14 local government areas, following increased mosquito bites and the effect on pregnant women and children.

46.6

FCT

Total discovers oil in Cote d’Ivoire

French oil giant, Total, on Thursday announced the discovery of oil in Saphir-1XB exploration well in the deep offshore west of Cote d’Ivoire in West Africa.

Senior Vice-President, Exploration at Total, Marc Blaizot, said: “Drilled in an abrupt margin play, this first well is the first discovery in the San Pedro Basin, a frontier exploration area in Cote d’Ivoire. Having confirmed the presence of a petroleum system containing light oil, we will next evaluate this very promising find and focus on its extension to the North and East.’’

The group said that the offshore in which Total enjoyed 54 per cent interest, was located in 2,300 metres of water and drilled to a total depth of 4,655 metres.

The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions per 100 inhabitants of developed countries in 2006.

Source: Itu.int

N3.26bn

The IGR of Niger State in 2010.

Source: National bureau of Statistics

7

ILORIN

‘15m suffer from stroke yearly’

A Consultant Neurologist at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Dr. Kolawole Wahab, has said about15 million people suffer from stroke worldwide annually.

Speaking at a lecture entitled, ‘Stroke and its Prevention’ Ilorin, organised by the Islamic Welfare Foundation (IWF), Wahab said stroke occurs in man when the blood circulation to the brain fails.

“Five million out of the 15 million that suffer from stroke die, another five million live with it while the remaining five million get treated,” he said.

33.4%

The female percentage of internet users in Ukraine in 2012.

Source: Itu.int

LASU lecturers threaten to shut varsity over unresolved issues labour LASU may witness another round strike as ASUU gives ultimatum to the school uthorities Kayode Olanrewaju

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he last may not have been heard of the crisis rocking the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, Lagos.

The university’s lecturers, under their umbrella union, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have threatened to halt academic activities in the university over unresolved issues with the management.

The union, on Tuesday issued a fresh 14-day ultimatum for the state government and the university management to meet their demand, failure to do so the union will embark on a full scale strike, paralysing academic activities in the institution.

Addressing a press conference yesterday, at the Faculty of Law, Ojo main campus of the university, during the ASUU South-West Congress, the Zonal Coordinator, Ibadan Zone, Dr. Adesola Nasir, said the 14-day ultimatum issued on April 15 and will expire on April 29, was coming on the heels of the expiration of the 21-day ultimatum earlier issued to

the university management that expired on April 13.

Nasir, who noted that ASUU was not interested in shutting the university system, regretted that the union had exhausted all avenues to avoid another strike, but that the management has refused to accede to the union’s various demands.

He said: “Long before the national strike of 2013, the LASU chapter of our great union had observed a number of unacceptable developments in the administration of Lagos State University. The union has made efforts at branch, zonal and national levels to resolve the issues in contention during the past one year

through dialogue with the various stakeholders, management, Governing Council, Chancellor, alumni and state government’s Ad-hoc committee on the LASU crisis.”

But the university’s spokesman, Mr. Kayode Sutton, said the demands or issues raised by the union were being addressed by the management led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof.

Oladapo Obafunwa, with a view to resolving the crisis.

He added that the council, chancellor and government had dialogued with the union at various levels with a view to addressing the issues, saying there is no need for any strike.

L-R: Juju Musician, Chief Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi; Governor of Osun State, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola and his deputy, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori, during the presentation of CD Album, titled: ‘Aregbesola: Agent of Change’ presented to the governor by Obey-Fabiyi to support his reelection campaign in Ilesa...yesterday

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FCT

CFAO to begin local operations Foundation decries in Nigeria abduction of school girls N EWS I N BRIEF

French automobile manufacturer, CFAO Automotive Group, has said it is making necessary logistic arrangements to begin vehicle assembly operations in the country.

A statement by the National Automotive Council (NAC) quoted the Managing Director of CFAO, Mr. Olivier Levigne, as saying this in Abuja, during a visit to the Director-General of the council, Mr. Aminu Jalal.

According to the statement signed by Mr. Bello Rasheed, the Principal Executive Officer, Information of the council, Levigne said the company would engage in local assembly of Mitsubishi and Fuso light trucks and pickups.

76.6%

The percentage of male internet users of Ireland in 2012.

Source: Itu.int

BAUCHI

ILORIN

The Foundation for the Victims of Child Abuse, (VCAF), has warned that the abduction of school girls could discourage parents from embracing girl-child education.

The Foundation stated this yesterday through its acting chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Dr. Tajudeen Akanji, in reaction to the abduction of students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State.

In a statement it issued in Ilorin, the Foundation described the abduction, as inhuman and a sad development.

1.57m

The total number of internet users of Lebanon in 2007.

Source: blatantworld.com

Security operatives tasked on conflict indicators

The Chairman, Christians-Muslims Peace Movement, Aminu Sidi, has called on security agencies to be on the watch out for conflict indicators for earlier detection of crimes in the country.

Sidi, a retired Immigration officer, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi, Bauchi State yesterday.

The chairman, who spoke on crimes prevention in the country, stressed the need for security agencies to be on the watch out for conflict indicators to enable them nib it in the bud.

42%

The percentage of households with access at home in Europe in 2005.

Source: Itu.int

Gbemisola Saraki seeks proactive measures against terrorism Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

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chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State, Senator Gbemisola Ruqayat Saraki, yesterday said despite Federal Government’s effort on improving the security situation in the country, there was still room for improvement through proactive measures.

In a statement issued in the wake of the Nyanya massacre, Saraki said the Federal Government should intensify efforts at curtailing the spread of terrorism in the country.

She also called on Nigerians to rise and support security initiatives by the government in that regard.

The statement, signed by her Special Assistant

on Media, Mr. Sola Shittu, urged the government and Nigerians to unite and fight what she described as “our common enemy”.

She said: “Insecurity in any part of this country, whether in Maiduguri, Sokoto or Yobe is insecurity for everyone of us. What happened Monday morning could happen to anyone of us anywhere in Nigeria. My heart bleeds for the victims of today’s blast. I was crying when I saw the pictures of the victims on the social media.

“These are hard working Nigerians who woke up early in search of their daily bread and that is why I am calling on everybody irrespective of their party or religious affiliation to unite with this government and fight this common enemy.”

Sokoto PDP inaugurates councils’ leaders

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Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan (middle), inspecting the $16 billion Gas City Project, located at Ogidigben in Warri South West Local Government Area of the state…recently

Bauchi govt gets N8.5bn World Bank education grant FUND With funding from the World Bank, schools in Bauchi State get improved status

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he Bauchi State Government has said it accessed $50 million (about N8.5 billion) grant from the World Bank for the improvement of the standard of education in the state.

The state Coordinator of the project, Alhaji Abubakar Tilde, made this known when he spoke with newsmen on the implementation of the fund in Bauchi yesterday.

Tilde, who said it spent $10 million (about N1.7 billion) in 2013, said 30 per

cent of the grant had been spent in 2014, while the balance of 70 per cent would be released soon.

The coordinator said the grant, which had four years lifespan started in 2013 and would end in 2017, while the benefiting states were Bauchi, Anambara and Ekiti.

Tilde said about 1,090 primary and junior secondary schools science teachers would be either redeployed to rural or urban school to balance the equation of the teachers.

He said the affected teachers would enjoy 10 per cent of their basic salary for the rural posting in addition to 5 per cent of their basic salaries for teaching core subjects.

Tilde said the other

teachers who would be affected by the deployment to rural areas would only enjoy 10 per cent.

He said the aim was to make teachers available to rural schools as well as teaching materials in the primary, secondary and vocational and technical schools in the state.

Tilde said 40 selected schools would enjoy N500, 000 monthly grant through their School- Based Management Communities to improve their infrastructure and other basic materials.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Aminu Mohammed, said the state government had employed 3,000 teachers for the Sate Universal Basic

Education Board and 2,000 teachers for the Junior Secondary schools.

Aminu refuted claims by some teachers that the World Bank had increased salaries of some teachers while others were neglected.

He said teachers whose salaries were elevated were those affected by the project, while the increases affect allowances and not salaries.

Aminu assured that state government would sustain the project after the withdrawal of the World Bank in 2017.

The commissioner called on benefiting teachers to reciprocate the gesture being made by the state government to improve the welfare of teachers in the state.

he Sokoto State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has inaugurated the Local Government Caretaker Committees for all the 23 local government areas in the state.

It also said the party was battle ready and determined to win the 2015 polls in the state.

Speaking during the inauguration of the committees at the party headquarters in Sokoto, the state Chairman of the PDP Caretaker Committee, Alhaji Abdullahi Shantali, said the local government caretaker committees were saddled with the task of forming 16-man caretaker committee in their respective wards.

According to him, they were also saddled with the responsibility of uniting and

bringing back to PDP those members that defected to other parties.

He explained that the committee would also embark on registration of members in the 244 wards of the state, organise and conduct congresses to elect party officials at wards, local government and state levels.

“Today’s inauguration is part of the fulfillment of the responsibility which we are charged upon by the national headquarters of the PDP. “We believed that in order to have effective and successful registration exercise, we must have competent field workers who can carry out the exercise effectively and implement the activities that may be assigned to them by the State Caretaker Committee,” he said.

Oranmiyan scribe boosts Aregbesola’s re-election Temitope Ogunbanke

S

ecretary of Oranmiyan Foundation, Republic of Ireland chapter, Dr. Gbenga Salawu, has donated public address systems to all the wards in Iwo, Ayedire and OlaOluwa Federal Constituency as a means of boosting the reelection bid of Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State.

He also gave N50,000

cash to each of the local government areas in the constituency for mobilisation to meetings, while pledging to do more to ensure Governor Aregbesola’s victory during the August 9 governorship poll.

Salawu, personally handed over the items to each of the chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 10 wards in Ayedire Local Government Area.

SEGUN EDWARDS olaedwards@yahoo.com 08111813095

Companies & Stock 19 APRIL 2014

W

ith the Easter celebrations around the corner, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of FBN Holdings Plc, has in its usual manner of delighting its customers rolled out a series of innovative products tailor-made for the taste and lifestyle needs of their customers.

This is to make the holiday season a memorable one as well making the banking services need a breeze whilst shopping and sightseeing during the holiday season.

The bank has in particular, designed products for easing transactions for those who would like to visit tourist centers within the country and for those who would be vacationing outside the country.

One of those products is the FirstBank Verve Debit card, a Naira denominated domestic payment card accepted for payment throughout Nigeria on all electronic channels – ATMs, POS and Web. A very unique feature of this product is that it is issued in 15 minutes at any FirstBank branches across the nation.

This unique feature stands the product out as it saves customers time, very convenient and easy to obtain. Also, the card, which is accepted nationwide on all electronic channels, comes with value added services which include bill payments, airtime recharge, and airflight booking among others.

A key feature of having this card is that it would help the holders avoid the hazards associated with carrying large amounts of cash while also providing the convenience of accessing funds anytime, any day and all year round and is available to all FirstBank account holders, irrespective of account types or account balances.

The card is Chip and PIN secured, for enhanced protection of customers’ funds and provides extra protection for Web based transactions with “Safetoken”, a second level security authentication in the event of PIN code compromise and theft.

The card is Naira denominated and personalized with the customer’s name and expired date to alert the customer when to renew and it is accepted wherever the Interswitch or Verve logo is displayed.

Also on offer from the stable of the bank is bouquet FirstBank, a Naira denominated international Debit card issued in partnership with MasterCard Worldwide, a card which enables transactions all over the world wherever the MasterCard logo is displayed.

The card is accepted worldwide at over 29.4 million merchant locations and can be used for cash withdrawals at over 1.8 million ATMs, in over 210 countries. In addition, all

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Nestlé N 4.2% Q1 sales growth affirms full-year outlook

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First Bank headquarters, in Lagos

First Bank innovates to meet customer’s yearnings transactions done are converted to naira and can be linked with the cardholder’s savings or current account online real-time. The International debit MasterCard can also be obtained within 15 minutes at any FirstBank branches and enables the holder spend in Naira wherever internationally and takes away the need to source for foreign exchange whilst on international trip. To ensure ease of transactions, it is accepted on all channels, both in Nigeria and abroad, wherever the MasterCard logo is displayed and works exactly like any domestic debit card when used in Nigeria, but also enables customers transact abroad.

The card is also secured by Chip & PIN technology and has protection for Web based transactions with “SecureCode” for International web transactions and ‘Safetoken’ for domestic web transactions. The Naira denominated card also comes personalized with the customer’s name and also with an option of personalized picture .The POS/Web limit can be increased upon request and has a card validity period of two years. This card is for working class individuals, business persons, holiday makers, Nigerians in Diaspora, individuals who want to make online payments, among others.

According to the Head Marketing & Corporate Communication, FirstBank, Mrs. Folake Ani-Mumuney, obtaining the FirstBank Verve and

FBN CEO, Bisi Onasanya

Naira MasterCard in 15minutes is our way of creating ease and convenience in our banking services.

FirstBank customers can maximize the bank’s services in and out of the country, either on business trips or during vacations as they are products created to ease banking transactions anywhere and anytime.

“First Bank is poised to make banking as easy and convenient as is obtainable in developed countries.

Our products are world class and guaranteed to ensure that while banking is made easier, customers’ funds remain safe. We would continue to introduce innovative products that are competitive, globally and remain true to our name by striving to provide the best financial services possible” she said.

Highlighting that the bank’s domiciliary account holders are not left out, she said FirstBank is also

offering an internet-based banking application (FirstOnline) through which its customers can effectively move funds from their domiciliary accounts to any part of the world seamlessly.

The FirstTrade online funds transfer is designed for all FirstBank domiciliary account holders who intend to transfer funds in USD, GBP and EURO within and outside the country. It is a straight through process (STP) as the beneficiary gets value within 24 to 48 hours irrespective of location. FirstTrade ensures an easy, convenient and paperless international funds transfer process from customer’s domiciliary accounts, hence, customers do not need to visit the branch to conclude FirstTrade online transfer as transactions can be initiated and completed the from the comfort of customers’ homes and offices, once internet service is available.

The safety of customers’ funds is of priority to the bank, hence it is guaranteed as a safe and secure electronic foreign currency funds transfer platform. The customer is notified of conclusion of transaction via an e-mail alert confirming the status of transaction and a swift advice as evidence of transmission of funds is similarly attached in the e-mail delivery with no hidden charges whatsoever.

iant food company, Nestle Nigeria Plc, has recorded a significant 4.2 per cent sales growth in the first quarter ended March 31, 2014, to the tune of N20.8 billion which the company said is an affirmation of realisation of expected positive full year growth by the outfit.

The company also recorded real internal growth of 2.6 per cent in the period as against the 0.6 per cent growth recorded in developed markets and emerging markets 8.5 per cent The company said its full-year outlook remains unchanged at the projected organic growth around 5 per cent with projected improvements in margins, underlying earnings per share in constant currencies and capital efficiency Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Paul Bulcke, Nestlé CEO said: “Our organic growth in the first months of the year was in line with expectations and driven by volume rather than price. The continued roll-out of new products, along with good execution, sustained this growth in difficult market conditions.

Nigerian banks seek extension to planned Windows XP support-disposal

M

oney deposit banks in Nigeria are seeking an extension to the planned halt of Windows XP support by Microsoft, to give them more time to upgrade their systems.

Microsoft has in recent months made public its decision to relinquish support for its Windows XP operating system (OS), noting plans to rather switch to its most recently developed Windows 8 OS, which simply means it might become substantially susceptible to virus attacks.

The banks, which run most of their automated teller machines (ATMs) on the outdated XP, are pressing for an extension to the April 8 deadline to allow for a window to smoothly transition its systems to Windows 8.

The financial institutions have already initiated engagements with the global software provider, aiming to reach an agreement for an extension. Industry experts are however of the opinion that the country’s banks do not hold the needed size to sway Microsoft to review an extended period.

Who should determine the name of a child? p.12

Street DIARY NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

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Nigerian found guilty of stabbing his mum 40 times Waheed Bakare with agency report

A

Nigerian man, Emmanuel Kalejaiye, who stabbed his mother to death in the United Kingdom, last September has been found guilty of manslaughter by Chelmsford Crown Court.

Emmanuel stabbed his mother, Tolu Kalejaiye, 40 times with a knife at their Wickford home.

After stabbing her, Emmanuel, who is suffering from depression, impersonated her mother by dressing up in woman’s clothes in order to fool neighbours that she was still alive.

The prosecutor told the court that 21-year-old Emmanuel had planned to commit the “perfect murder” by killing his 44-year-old mother before dressing up as her to allow himself precious time to dispose of her body.

However, the mailonline reports that a jury of seven men and five women found the Essex University student not guilty of murder, but guilty of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility, due to mental health issues.

The trial lasted for two weeks before the jury came up with the verdict.

Christopher Ball QC, who presided over the court, said: “The evidence shows the defendant is capable of a very deliberate and calculated act of supreme violence.

“If as a paranoid schizophrenic he is capable of this, he may present a very significant danger to anyone who upsets him for many years to come.

“I am keen to see the extent to which paranoid schizophrenia will underscore the danger he poses to others in the future to assess a proper sentence.’

The judge demand a full psychiatric report into the danger Emanuel could pose to the public ahead of sentencing in June.

The prosecutor told the court that Emmanuel had written out a detailed plan including notes on how to walk in high heels and had receipts for pink Primark women’s clothing.

Tolu

PHOTOS: MAILONLINE

‘Don’t stab me, don’t stab me, you’re a demon’

Emmanuel

Investigators found some receipts at the house which showed that the knife used by Emmanuel was bought at Lidl just a month before stabbing his mother.

Mailonline reports that Emmanuel inflicted more than 40 stab wounds on his 44-year-old mother’s body.

It adds that Tolu, who worked as an accountant for Camden Council, suffered more than 40 stab wounds to her head, face, neck, upper limbs

and hands during the frenzied knife attack.

She reportedly called her boyfriend, Leo Shogunle, on her phone during the attack around 7.30am – but Shogunle only received the message when he awoke later that morning.

Emmanuel buried his head in hands as the jury was played a disturbing three-minute voicemail in which the mother-of-two can be heard screaming ‘don’t stab me, don’t stab me - you’re a demon’, before the message fell chillingly silent.

Shogunle raced to the home shortly after 10am on the morning of the attack after hearing the message and opened the room with a spare key.

He was confronted by the bloodied body of his lover lying on the kitchen floor and Emmanuel, who said his mother, had been attacked before fleeing the scene.

Kalejaiye was later caught on CCTV around 10.30am calmly buying a can of coke and a pack of Maryland cookies at a local post office before handing himself in to police.

During police interview, it was reported that he signed a confession stating: “I admit killing my mother this morning by stabbing her.

“I did this because she subjected me to a lifetime of physical and mental abuse. She used the Bible to rationalise what she did to me. I believe she manipulated and brainwashed me.

“I have been very depressed for a long time. I have tried to overcome it but I couldn’t take it anymore.”

Thereafter, he was said to have changed his story saying a gang of masked men burst into his home, forced him to stab his mother then threatened him with further violence if he told police.

He told the court a gang of five white, balaclava-clad men targeted him in a suspected racist attack.

Woman’s cloth worn by Emmanuel after the attack

‘I did this because she subjected me to a lifetime of physical and mental abuse.

The university student went onto claim the mystery men had forced him to dress up in the ‘ill-fitting’ pink clothing and pink flip flops to move his mother’s Mercedes car - a move the prosecution claimed had been an attempt to fool neighbours into thinking his mother had driven to work.

Evidence from an expert psychiatrist stated Emmanuel had been suffering from severe depression and paranoid schizophrenia at the time of the attack.

The court heard how fellow students at Essex University, where Emmanuel had studied biochemistry, found him “weird and paranoid.”

The case of Emmanuel Kalejaiye echoes that of the ficitional character Norman Bates, the protagonist of the novel Psycho by Robert Bloch.

Based on real-life murderer Ed Gein, Bates is a fat, middle-aged drunk who has an unnaturally close relationship with his mother.

Bates runs the motel his mother owns. But Mother is insane; and when she suspects her son of desiring an attractive young guest, she sneaks into the girl’s room and stabs her to death as she showers.

Norman covers up the murder; but Mother soon kills a private investigator hired to find the girl.

During the course of the novel, which was adapted into Alfred Hitchcock’s film Psycho in 1960 and again in 1998 starring Vince Vaughn, the reader learns ‘Mother’ is in fact Bates himself, who developed a split personality after murdering his real mother and her lover in a fit of jealously.

Unable to bear the guilt he adopted her personality to try and convince himself that she was still alive.

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 19 april 2014

F

or Mr. Livinus Mberu who hails from Mbano in Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State but lives at 32c Adeola Street Aguda, Lagos, the dream of making it big has over the years kept him fired on as a self-employed man. But suddenly, the dream seems to have taken a flight and life has turned brutish, traumatic and tragic for the family of five as they turned homeless and mendicants on the street of Lagos.

The wife, Esther, picked up the narration: “We cannot afford food for weeks, we don’t have a place to stay and even to get cloths for the children is difficult for us. My husband has been doing well in Lagos where he was self-employed, suddenly his business collapsed and life turned around for the worst for us.”

The couple and their three children, a boy (Chukwudi) and two girls (Tochukwu and Chidera) have over the past four months turned homeless at the open auditorium of Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) campsite along LagosIbadan Expressway. “Many times, these children catch cold in the night, mosquitoes are feasting on us, we have no place to run to, no helpers.

As a result of this, we are staying at an open auditorium. We did not like it but we have no choice because of the condition that we found ourselves,” lamented the wife.

Before relocating to the RCCG auditorium, Esther said the family was squatting with a family member who became weary of them and asked them to find another accommodation. But the husband who is jobless could not raise money for a new accommodation when they were ejected by the family member She added that RCCG is not even helping matters as the task force in the church is always chasing them out of the auditorium. “Sometimes we are chased out and when it is raining, the rain will fall on us and our belongings. This adds pain to our

STREET DIARY

11

Love keeps us together, says homeless couple who sleeps at RCCG camp Despite the obvious situation of homelessness, hunger and poverty, a couple identifies love as the binding force that has kept the marriage till date writes CAMILLUS NNAJI

Esther and her children

pains,” she said.

Her cry and that of the family is for any God-led and spirited person to come to their aid before further tragedy descend on them, especially given the fact that their children are always falling ill as a result of being exposed to the vagaries of nature. ‘‘Please any person that can assist us should do so in the name of God,” she cried. Despite the precarious state that they have found themselves, Esther who revealed that she and her husband owned and ran a restaurant in Lagos, which later collapsed due to lack of fund to sustain the business, added that what had

Sometimes we are chased out and when it is raining, the whole rain will fall on us held the family together is the strong bond of love that they shared.

“We still love each other. Love is what has united us, that is what keeps the family together. The situation we find ourselves does not bring quarrel between me and my husband. We always believe that we can get out of this one day, so with understanding we can solve our

problems.” However, that love may just be stretch to the limit and thin if help does not come their way soon and fast enough.

The only source of income for the family, according to Livinus comes from the daily labour work he does at construction sites within and outside the vicinity of RCCG camp.

This work, he said was irregular and that the money that comes out from it is paltry sum of money, which was hardly enough to feed the children.

“Please people should assist me get an accommodation and job, my children are not in school. We cannot

feed, I am ashamed to say all these but that it is the truth,” cried Livinus even as he explained that part of the things that brought them to the RCCG camp is to be closer to God and seek His face through prayers.

“One of the reasons for staying in this place is to pray to God and ask for His mercy to grant us favour so as we can live like normal people,” he said, adding “sometimes when my children are hungry and what I have for them is not enough, they will be crying. When they fall sick, it’s difficult to buy them drugs. Whenever I find myself in this situation, ‘I ask myself, is this normal? May be there is a spiritual problem to my situation.

“I have been praying to God to deliver me of any spiritual problem that will make me not provide for my family.”

He regretted that his expectation when he relocated to the RCCG had not been met.

Livinus said, “I think the church is where helpless people get help, homeless people are accommodated, hungry people are fed, naked people are clothed, we need the help of the church authorities to offers us accommodation at least because of these children. ‘‘The exceptional thing is that the children are very brilliant and intelligent though they are not in school. Tochukwu and Chukwudi who are more elderly than their younger sister can speak English Language expected of their age mates who attend school. They understand the value of money given to them and are eager to begin school like other children.”

Our safety programmes have reduced road crashes –Ogunjobi

T

he Lagos – Ibadan Expressway is ever busy and a major artery to other parts of the country and just as it attracts massive vehicular movements, so has it, sadly though recorded heart rendering incidents of Road Transport Crashes (RTC), leading to loss of lives, physical disabilities and properties.

Festive periods such as the Easter celebration are some of the time in the year when the road witnesses heavy vehicular and human activities. The number of accidents and crashes during such occasions are also believed to increase but over time, there appears to have been a noticeable reduction in the number of accidents and fatalities recorded on the road.

This development, according to

xxxx

the Assistant Corp Commander, Olundare Ogunjobi, who is the unit commander, RS2.23 Mowe Unit, is due to the success of a number of safety programmes introduced

and executed by the unit.

One of such programme, he said, was the ‘passengers watch programme.’ This, according to him, has resulted in the reduc-

tion of crashes, clearing of obstructions, ensuring free flow of traffic and safety of travellers on the stretch of the expressway.

“Since two years ago, the rate of crashes has reduced drastically when compared to what happened in the past,’’ he said, adding ‘‘we have made a lot of personal and deliberate efforts. We have a programme called ‘passengers watch programme,’ which is targeted mostly at commercial vehicles.’’

On how this works, he said, ‘‘It is a situation where a road safety personnel dresses in mufti, pays the normal transport fare and board a vehicle with other passengers in order to monitor the activities of the driver. If he answers phone calls while driving, is on high speed, wrongful overtaking and any other traffic offence, the

road safety personnel will radio his colleagues who are waiting at the next duty post with details of the vehicle number-plate and the driver will be apprehended.’’

Besides reducing the rate of crashes on the road, Ogunjobi said FRSC had also created a higher level of consciousness in the mind of drivers because they were aware that they had being monitored.

On ‘motorised speed control patrol,’ he said, “As our patrol vehicles and power bikes are stationed in front of all vehicles on the road, mainly on Fridays and weekends, we control the speed using our own vehicle while every other car or truck follow our heels, any dissident to this rule are usually apprehended and punished.’’

Voices

12

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 19 april 2014

Street Diary

Who should determine the name of a child?

The paternal grandfather

The man

This is a big question.

Ideally, I think the name of your child should be a joint decision between the father and mother. It should be something they both love and then they can stick to a particular one. But in most cases now, it is the man since he is the bread winner. He determines the name and the wife would have no choice than to accept since he is the head of the family.

I have also witnessed another scenario where the woman proves she is a woman and she went through the pains of carrying the pregnancy and labour. She said the child is a smaller version of her, so she would determine the name of the child.

In Yoruba land the best person that determines the name of the child is the paternal grandfather of the child taking into consideration the situation surrounding the child’s birth and the home.

Basirat Babalola - Entrepreneur

The father, mother

The mother and father should decide because they both played a role in bringing the child to the world.

t o the man

The man

The man names the child, he is the head of the family and as long as he has the decision to name his child, the woman should accept the name; also you know the child bears the father’s surname not the mother.

Mr. Yinka Oguntude - Civil servant

Emmanuel Ossai Mechanic

It is the duty of the man

The man is the head of the family

The man determines the name of the child because he is the man of the house; the man is in charge and heads the family. The woman can as well give name the child but that comes after has named the child.

Angela Nnabugo - Businesswoman

The man naturally names the child, he is the head of the family in the first place and even from the bible, God created Adam and Eve but he asked Adam not Eve to name all the things created

by Him.

Faith Onyenike - Mechanic

The father, mother, grandparents

Adenike Busari Graduate waiting for NYSC call up

The father of the child, mother and grandfather or grandmother. It could be paternal or maternal as the case maybe.

The father

G e o r g e s Macnobleson-Idowu Journalist

The man is the one who gives the name but it is whatever the mother calls the child that sticks.

Mrs. Ifeoma Jane Chukwuka - NGO Director

The grandfather, parents

It depends on the prevailing situation; the grand daddy may do it as a sign of respect or the daddy may do but after seeking the mother’s consent.

Idris Alabi - Accountant

compiled by

ELIJAH EDA SAMUEL and Victoria Ewoh

Abia Shooting: Police arraign ex-corporal Tijani Oseni, four rape suspects

T

HE Abia State Police Command has arraigned excorporal Tijani Oseni for the shooting and killing of late Mr. John Ndubuka at the Magistrate Court, Umuahia, presided over

by Chief Magistrate John Ukpai.

The offence was committed on February 4, 2014 by the former police officer at old Umuahia main market in the Umuahia magistrate district with an AK 47 riffle. Meanwhile the court has ordered that exhibits relating to the murder case should be kept properly while the suspect is remanded in prison custody and the case adjourned till May

12, this year.

May, 2014.

Also, four suspected rapists – Chinweotuto Nwosi, Uchechi Nnaukwu and Chigozie Ejikeme and others now at large, were arraigned on a three count charge of rape. The offence was committed on April 4, 2014 at Amangwu Elu-Elu Olokoro inside a barrow pit in Umuahia South magisterial district.

The suspects were remanded in prison custody while the case was adjourned till the 1of May 12, 2014.

Their victim is 18 years old Chikodi Ogbonna.

Court sentences labourer to 18 months in prison for stealing cell phones

A

Chief Magistrates’ Court in Mararaba yesterday sentenced one Inusa Chiroma, 21, of no fixed address, to 18 months in prison for stealing cell phones.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr. Habila Abundaga, handed down the sentence after Chiroma pleaded guilty to threecount charge of criminal conspiracy, trespass and theft.

Abundaga, however, granted him an option of N3, 000 fines for each offence of criminal conspiracy and trespass, and N7, 000 fines for theft.

The prosecutor, Corporal.

Steven Kwaza, told the court that the matter was reported

Mohammed-Bello Adoke, Minister of Justice and Attorney-General

at Sani Abacha Road Police Station on April 15 by Aminu Aminu, resident near First Bank, Mararaba.

Kwaza said that the accused person conspired with

two others (Manu and Betman, who are now at large) and trespassed into the complainant’s apartment to steal the phones.

He listed the stolen items as one Blackberry phone valued at N8, 000; one HTC phone valued at N10, 000; one Nokia phone valued at N4, 000 and car stereo valued at N15, 000.

When the convict was arrested, the car stereo and some cell phones were recovered in his possession.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened the Penal Code.

He also told the court that the convict confessed to the offence when he was arrested.

Showbiz Nikki-Laoye’s prudish path to stardom p.16 Travel Bayelsa shepes up for AMAA p.42

NTWEEKEND

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C o n v e r s at i o n

Mallinson Ukatu Rugged road to the top The name Mallinson Afam Ukatu, the chairman of Mallinson & Partners Limited, a firm with interest in building materials, mining, paper manufacturing and shipping may not resonate in the media. But that does not diminish the worth of the Anambra-born tycoon who grew his company from a modest start-up into a business with global reach. Ukatu recounts his remarkable rise to fame story in this interview with LANRE ODUKOYA

W

IN THE BEGINNING

ell, we have been into what I’d call import and export business which is the normal enterprise for everyone in Nigeria. And for good fifteen years, we imported goods from various countries like Brazil, China, Italy name any other country vibrant in production industries. We’re key player in building materials, steel products, paper and other building materials we’re known for and we decided to take it down when issues of duties with the Nigerian Customs and Excise were becoming unbearable.

Then, we started pondering over what we can do better to benefit the masses also and calm our tension. This was so because each time we had goods shipped, it was either one was thinking about the state of such goods and clearance with exorbitant duties and the shipping companies even giving you outrageous bills that you must pay. We were also confronted with some products disappearing at the port and no feasible way of reclaiming them and if you relied on insurance, chances were that you might not even get anything back. So, at our crossroads, we felt, how long will one continue with this? That was how we began to think of manufacturing.

We felt if some countries are doing theirs this way, we can deliver ours better. I believe in passion to achieve anything. So, I decided to give manufacturing a shot.

The first step we took was to buy a plastic manufacturing company, Lotem Plastics and we turned it around. When we started with that, it opened up a gateway into manufacturing other items. And that was how we delved into tiles production and granite polishing. We can proudly say today that we’re the first indigenous tiles manufacturing company in Nigeria. Two other companies that were here before us are foreign companies. And today, we’re doing great because our quality has been accepted in the market especially when compared with some of the imported ones from China and other countries. When we started, some guys erroneously labeled our products ‘Made in Spain’ but we set the record straight again by reminding them that this is ‘Made in Nigeria’ CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

Ukatu

“We can proudly say today that we’re the first indigenous tiles manufacturing company in Nigeria.”

13

14

WEEKEND | CONVERSATION

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 19 APRIL 2014

Mum wanted me to be a pastor, U p C lose VITAL STATISTICS

Date of Birth: May 8, 1965 Origin: Alor, Anambra State Qualification: B.A. (Hons) Philosophy from University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Alumni of Pan African University, Lagos Affiliate Companies: Nispo Porcelain Co. Ltd, Lotem Ltd, Fruitropic Industries Ltd, Cowry Asset and Management Ltd, Master Energy Oil and Gas, Rank Trade Int. Ltd, United Chartered Ind., Ltd, Alor Microfinance Bank

the business. Ours was just to know what was needed locally to do the business. So, in the area of manpower, we got our people trained with them. When we started, we had about sixteen expatriates, they worked with us for one year and three months. Then we reduced the number to eight and after another two years and a half, we came down again to four and we are comfortable with the four, we are able to pay them and use the local workforce to get the factory running smoothly.

DREAMING AND LIVING CAPITALISM

I chose business from secondary school days. My mum actually wanted me to become a pastor, but unfortunately I ignored her desire to be a pastor. It was not that I didn’t like to be a better Christian, but I saw myself as a marketer, somebody who could touch things and sell. I believe in my capability. I said to myself: I’m a marketer and a salesperson, why not go into something that can turn me around immediately than thinking about what I don’t have flair for?

So, I went into business in 1990.

FIRST ENTREPRENEURIAL ATTEMPT

All my life, I have been into building materials and sometimes one might move to importing one thing or the other along the line.

BACKING THE SKILLS WITH FORMAL EDUCATION

Yes, I did acquire formal education. When I started after the secondary school, I started apprenticeship with my uncle, Chief Ochiora and my father in 1982. After learning the ropes, I said I don’t need all this, I need to further my education to able get thing well planned, structured and more organised. So, I went to University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where I read philosophy. I came out in flying colours. I did not end there I went to Lagos Business School to study Entreprenuership and now, I’m doing my MBA in Crawford University. I have gone through several business schools and all these things are to enhance my knowledge.

PATHS CLEARLY DEFINED

No not really, my parents never disagreed on whatever I should do with my life in those formative years of mine.

It was just a situation where one have to do what he wants to do, but all wishes will never come true. My dad wanted me to go into business, he was into textile business and I wanted to help others – my siblings. You know when you have younger ones you impress it on yourself to take care of, you would start touching the money.

THE HEIR ADVANTAGE

Yes, I’m the first male child. We are six-three boys and three girls. Unfortunately, my elder sister is much older than me, so I did take care of my younger ones especially my immediate younger sister to whom I was like a big brother.

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 3

because we have to do something good with this country’s name. We put the Made in Nigeria tag in black and white and that has changed the mindset of many people that good things can’t come from Nigeria.

THE FIRST MAJOR BOTTLENECK

Yes, we thought about the infrastructure that we really didn’t have in place, especially ones required to sustain the kind of productions we do. We’re on 24hour power supply for the production of this line of products. So, where we should go from all that were not available in terms of amenities; there is nowhere one can float such an industry without absolute reliance on natural gas to power the factories. We found out that there are only two places we could source that, it was either Ota or Agbara, Ogun State. There is another gas access in Aba but it’s not well planned. Since the only place one can go for this in Nigeria today is Ogun State, we had to go there to speak to Shell for gas. We

were able to negotiate one year supply. We looked at the cost of getting gas 24 hours, technical know-how and the rest, after all the considerations, we realized it would still be fair after all and that was how we started.

So, we don’t have problem with power supply because we’re powering the factories on a power plant that runs our factories 24 hours. The kind of business we’re into is such that, if you take off light for one hour, it will take us another four days to do production because we need to build up our funnel to certain degree temperature before you start production.

SOURCING QUALITY MANPOWER

From the beginning, years back, I believe in partnership and luckily for me the name of the company is Mallinson and Partners Limited. We looked for somebody we have been working with in the area of import and export for the past 15 to 20 years and we shared with him: ‘let’s try this thing, it’s going to work and he said, ‘okay’, I will give you technical know-how and support’.

Having this, we became sure that we were covered to do

BUSINESS MODELS

I have so many models I like many people, but the fact that I have seen the end of this game, to achieve something, your model might be a person you might not want at the time, but you see all his struggles and you respect his tenacity. My kind of model is someone who can touch lives, who does business with less attractions to only the gains. I don’t have one person as a model and I read lots of business books. I know what it takes to be in business that is not sustainable. To be successful, I struggled to make it happen and I believe in my efforts and I believe in God to do this for me and I work hard as a person.

DAMPENING LEGISLATIONS

I always tell people that our tax system in Nigeria is something else. I think it’s a crime to be successful, by being successful, I won’t like to be misquoted. I mean getting something paying off after so much labour and cost.

For instance, if you will just appear suddenly from the bush, you will be ready to face forces that will demand so

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 19 APRIL 2014

CONVERSATION | WEEKEND

15

but I knew I was a marketer much from you for making it where others dreaded to tread. Sometimes, you will see our politicians or government officials coming inside the bush to ask you for your tax and it’s ridiculous, especially when they didn’t give you light, security, road or any form of support whatsoever. Instead of encouraging you by saying, well done, you have done well, they will come after you because you are coming out of the bush with something and the bush now belongs to them and the gains are not yours anymore. I don’t understand that. One of the challenges we face is when environmental specialists are after you even when your business poses no environmental hazard. This discourages a lot of people from going into production, it’s like you have a fixed asset and people will see you as being big. They think all these things are your money whereas most of the things you see on ground are from the banks to finance your projects and you are paying as loan from time to time. They don’t see the liabilities, they just see it as investments without minding how you hope to service the huge loans in some instances. We worry about supporting in terms of employment in the society and people one can take off the street, but they go on imposing multiple taxation on us. Where all that the government is supposed to provide (enabling environment) you do them yourself, what else does the same government have to offer?

NOT THERE YET

No, I have not done half of what I meant to achieve.

New ideas, new things are still coming into my mind.

Like where we are today, I will like to have acres of land housing industries which can be one-stop spot for anything called building materials. That’s when I can tell you I’m now fulfilled as an entrepreneur.

CHILDHOOD FANTASIES

I liked football a lot. In fact, I was a goal keeper in my primary and secondary school and that was the farthest I went. There was no time for football at the university. But today, I can watch my football with fanatics, the winning team is my team, so I’m calm in doing such things because I don’t tense myself having any favourite.

NOSTALGIA

I grew up in Anambra State. Well, the village setting was all good for us, you could walk around without being scared of kidnapping, no fear of people coming after you, we visited friends and they did too.

That was the normal good life of those days that was in the late 70s. There was a time my second son was moving around in the village and accidentally went to the other village, they brought him back when he mentioned his family name, Ukatu, and I’m not sure that still happens today. My highly inquisitive son didn’t even know that he was straying and none of us had started looking for him before he was led back home from the neighbouring village.

CHIEFTANCY TITLES AS A MARK OF HONOUR

I don’t believe in such things, I believe in modesty.

You cannot give me chieftancy title because I have done some things for my village like giving scholarship. I don’t think it’s what I need. I need other people to join hands and do the same.

GIVING BACK TO SOCIETY

Yes, we have a kind of initiative to support people .

We give scholarships to the less privileged people and I make sure that anyone in my extended family who wants to go to school, we take care of the person to any level he/she wants.

AFTER THE BOARDROOM HEADACHES

I stay in my house with my family. I love music a lot and any modern music that is not too funky and I relax a lot when I travel for business because you wouldn’t be picking calls or making any while on a plane.

BEST HOLIDAY SPOTS

It might amuse you that it’s Senegal. I went there for holidays with my wife and children. Though, my wife didn’t like it because her fascination seems to be different. I like the location because I love nature and the naturalness of everything there. The house is a hut but well planned and everything was working.

We were there for three to four days, then we went to the desert to see the wild life at a particular park.

It was a good outing. I have been to many countries, but I still love African countries.

EYES ON DIVERSIFYING

Apart from the production of building materials, I think I would also like to find my way into the pharmaceutical industry. It’s still a business that touches lives, I love things that has to do with health and people’s life.

THE HOMEFRONT

I met my wife through my friend who happened to be a husband of my wife’s elder sister. I met her in one of my friend’s house, though I hadn’t spoken to her. I was with somebody else, I told the fellow, ‘this is my wife’, without saying anything to her.

Somehow we got talking occasionally on phone and we tried to understand ourselves because when my friend and his wife were courting, I saw a cordial relationship between them and my wish was to have someone like that too and I was able to find it in my wife. I have four boy and one girl. In my last son, I can see the trait of an entrepreneur in him because he likes money, he wants to touch money.

When you ask him anything, he will give you the economical aspect of it, like how much it is converted from naira to dollar. And everything he talks about tilts towards business, so I see that I have a business person in my house because he thinks and talks about money all the time. I am blessed and happy, the first day he went to the factory, he said he wanted to spend four days there and work to earn salary so that has shown the spirit he has.

BIGGEST BUSINESS RISK TAKEN

The one I can remember was when I used 70 to 90 percent of all I had to import a particular good and I wasn’t thinking that it was not going to work out or the land in good condition. But it landed, though it was delayed for 45 days due to the problem a Nigerian shipping company, NIGERBRASS was having. I remembered the kind of risk I’ve gone into without doing the calculations, but fortunately the goods were later delivered and in good condition. Henceforth, I don’t see anything as a risk, you have to try.

REGRETS

We had an accident two years ago when part of my factory building collapsed. My only thought then was that I could have done much better than what I did.

And that was not because we didn’t take up insurance to do the project. Really, I regretted not taking a better policy because I usually take insurance when I’m doing something, unfortunately, the reason I didn’t take the policy cover for that is still unknown to me.

I could have done better than I did.

16

INSTYLE

Celebrate the Easter in traditional look Angela Davies

H

ow would you like to dress tomorrow which is Easter Sunday? Since Easter is celebrated once a year, it will be ideal to drop your elegant English outfits and dress gracefully in your traditional attire especially if you are a married woman.

You can decide to dress in the full traditional attire with elegant accessories by tying two wrapper like the Igbo, blouse and headgear. You can also opt for single velvet wrapper, stylish blouse and complementing headgear, exquisite lace iro and buba with gele and ipele or even adorn the good, old oleku style in African print, statement necklace and headgear harmonized with high heels.

No matter how you decide to dress tomorrow which is Easter Sunday, go traditional especially to church. However, if you will be attending an evening event, then, you can elegantly dress in an evening outfit complimented with the right accessories. You can take a cue from the lovely dressed women on our page today.

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 19 april 2014

‘Comfort is a major factor’ Chidi Uzoma popularly known as Baba De Baba is a rising stand-up comedian. He loves to wear suits and can spend so much on good quality shoes, he tells ANGELA DAVIES. Define your style

My style is simple, convenient and conducive. I don’t wear what will inconvenience me, no matter what the dress code is except I am being paid to dress like that.

For instance, when working with brands they ask me to wear their branded shirts which at times may be too big for me and I look ugly in oversized cloths. However, since I am being paid, I would have no choice but to wear it because money is involved.

What determines the kind of outfit you wear?

When I am not performing or anchoring an event that demands me wearing branded shirts or corporate events that requires me to be in suit, I dress as the spirit leads. For instance, I can wear knickers and slipper to a wedding. But my dressing will be attractive and sexy.

What kind of outfits make up a larger part of your wardrobe?

Suits make up a larger part of my wardrobe because as a corporate comedian and master of ceremonies I investment more in suits.

Your style signature

My ring and glasses.

Favourite piece of clothing

My suits, they make me look mature and older than my age.

Most expensive fashion item you have ever bought

That will be my shoes and wristwatch.

Clothing item you will never be caught wearing?

You will never catch me wearing jalamia (Senegalese style kaftan). I hate that outfit with a passion.

What is that fashion accessory you can spend so much on?

I can spend so much on good quality shoes.

Fashion accessories you can’t do without?

My ring, the truth is that the ring was given to me by a female fan I met outside Lagos. So because of the respect I have for her, I started wearing the ring and that was how my thing for rings started.

Signature perfume

I don’t know names of perfumes, however, I love perfumes with good fragrance that last long.

Best designer

I am not into designer names. I just love to wear good suits and outfits that I see and love. I believe that I am a star so whatever I wear becomes a brand and the tailor becomes a designer.

Best colour

I love black and white. These two colours are simply unique.

What kind of shoes do you love to wear?

I love good leather shoes that will comD’ltye plement my suit.

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17

Accessories to live for

Timeless statement with coral necklace beads Complementing your outfit with lively accessories change your entire look in an instant. So, add a stylish box clutch and adorn coral bead necklace for that radiant look, writes ANGELA DAVIES.

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oral bead necklace is a timeless and classy fashion accessory. They are beautiful statement necklace especially when they come in gorgeous designs and styles that will make you stand out at any event.

These chic and dazzling necklaces look adorable on traditional attires as they blend well with any colour or style. They come in single, multi or triple strands, twists and gorgeous styles depending on what

Facts The Lanre Da Silva Ajayi (LDA) brand first arrived in the fashion scene in 2005 with iconic 1940’s couture signature designs, a result of what has evolved into a much more modern and cutting-edge brand and a full-blown fashion house.

The most expensive swimsuit in the world is a bikini worth $30 million dollars. Designed

by Susan Rosen and Steinmetz Diamonds, the bikini is made with more than 150 carats of D flawless diamonds which are all set in platinum.

The skirt is the second oldest piece of clothing, out-dated only by the loincloth.

There was a period when Christian Louboutin shoes were available with baby blue soles.

These were related with an intention to enable “something blue” for brides-to-be and were very short-lived.

you want and the fashion statement you want to make at that event. So express your signature style by adorning your neck with coral bead statement necklace to complete a look that is radiantly elegant and totally you.

The stunning charm of these necklaces echoes the timeless style of traditional African coral beads.

Remember, nothing gives your look more panache than a beautiful red coral bead statement necklace.

Box Clutches: The latest bag du jour

T

he box clutch otherwise known as minaudiere clutch, are the latest bag du jour. These evening bags may be small in size, but they look extremely elegant and stylish.

Though dramatic in style, think of them as a piece of jewellery that you can hold in the palm of your hand. They are a stylish way to accessorise an outfit. They come in different colours and patterns that you can always find the perfect one to match your outfit.

To carry this hard-backed clutch, it is either you tuck it elegantly in the crook of your arm, or hold it in your hand, where it functions as a sort of glamorous extension of your body. It is the perfect accessory to make you look gorgeous on the spot.

Since the box clutches are quite structured, they don’t contain too many items, so bear this in mind when you choose to accessorise with a box clutch. They come in many colours and shapes so you can choose from a shellshaped clutch or rectangle box clutch to an embroidered clutch, down to a clutch with sequin to one with studs depending on the fashion statement you want to make.

Box clutch is the perfect piece to make a statement with.

with eve banigo

Airwaves

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18

Contestants in the last edition of the debaters

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here are lots of TV programmes I really miss.

Last week, I talked about the obvious lack of content on television (yes, it hurts, so I will keep venting). The other night, I was hit with a wave of nostalgia, seeing something I used to watch religiously. I had already finished for the day, and there was nothing else to do. You know that feeling, where you’re bored, but you want to revel in your “free” state, but yet, still want something to do? That was me yesterday.

Perhaps, I’ve been caught up with a whole load of stuff; work and other extra activities that I’d not exactly noticed the extent so much has changed.

Ok, not exactly true, but it’s become so palpable these days.

Where are my favourite shows?

Where did they go? I remember there used to be The Debaters.

It was the first of its kind in Nigeria, with Mo Abudu and Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) as a major sponsor. Like the title says, it was a reality show where various individuals who felt the need to discuss various issues, ranging from politics to child abuse confronted each

Goodbye yesterday other, wielding words. More like having a war of words. At the end of various confrontations, the best amongst them was crowned champion orator.

I loved it. Not only because I love to engage in witty repartee, or because a little venting about things I’m passionate makes me feel better afterwards. Judges and contestants alike were quite impressive.

You should see the research that went into every debate.

It was always good watching them every week, engaging in heated back and forth discussions. There was even a particular episode the judges couldn’t decide who would be orator of the week because two of the contestants were extraordinary. So you can imagine the feeling, when after Season 2, it just stopped airing. If it would take a personal letter to Month Abudu, I would not mind. I need it back!

There was also Your Choice.

This one stopped airing for

quite a while now, and I wonder why. On this show, couples would come together, and then would be asked questions about each other. For example, the man would be asked by the host what his wife’s favourite colour was and he’d write it down on a placard, then his spouse would write her answer too. when the siren goes off, they both show their answers to the audience. If the answers corresponded, they got one point, if it didn’t, they lose.

The couple with the highest point would be winner at the end of the show. This one was really entertaining, as well as hilarious. Some answers couldn’t be any more different than water and oil. Some-

I don’t think it’s entirely bad to crave and miss the things you used to enjoy back then

times, I’d imagine some couples, after leaving the show, would have a light hearted squabble because he didn’t remember her mother’s middle name, or she forgot his favourite brand of beer. Yikes! Like Debaters, I stopped seeing this one too.

Late nights, I’d spend most of it listening to “Stranger” - aka Agony Uncle - of Top Radio. I liked to tune in then, even though Stranger’s nasal voice grated on my nerves a bit. It felt good, listening to him dish out relationship advice to those seeking, calm and soothe the distraught and heartbroken. I’m not entirely sure it’s stopped airing, but I’ve waited some nights, and I got nothing. Even Vickie of Cool fm, I miss her too, with her witty and at times raunchy discussions. Listeners would call in, discuss and give their opinions on whatever issue it was that night.

I’ve been accused of living in the past before, from

my preference to only brown paper books, to oldies music I listen to, but then again, I don’t think it’s entirely bad to crave and miss the things you used to enjoy back then. I can’t be the only one who reminisces from time to time about things they used to watch or listen to.

Fast forward to the present.

I settled for The Rich Kids of Hollywood. The name tells you everything really; a gang of rich kids, or wait - adults (no one there is below 18) who happen to have really rich parents, live in opulence, spend outrageous amounts of money on designer clothes, clubbing, cars. Basically the luxurious lifestyle.

It wasn’t bad, if you wind up finding nothing to do with your time, that is. Aside the really impressive array of clothes the females were donned in, I really did see nothing else spectacular about it. Who wants to spend their entire time watching people who monitor their Instagram likes? Not me.

Are there any programmes you used to watch or listen to, that for some reason, you don’t again?. And would you want them back again?

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Tolu Oniru Recounts blesssings on Instagram p.22 Lekki The new celebrities’ playground p.25

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19

DARE ART ALADE:

Relishing the umpire’s job

Soul singer, Dare Art Alade popularly known as Darey is one of the judges of the Nigerian Idols Season 4. The one-time DJ recently held a successful second edition of his concert, Love Like a Movie. In this interview with OLUSHOLA RICKETTS, he revealed his plan to run a radio station, new experience as a judge, idea behind his concert among other issues You are a judge at the ongoing Nigerian Idols, how would you describe the experience so far?

For me, it is a fresh experience. This is the first time I am a judge in a reality show.

Although I have been on the other side as a contestant and host, being a judge is entirely new to me.

What would you say of the remaining contestants jostling for the crown?

I think the top 12 we would pick today (Saturday) are the best we got across the country. Of course, we have some talented ones who were eliminated.

How do you feel when a favourite contestant is sent home?

What I try to do is not to have any favourite.

With that, I do not get disappointed. If you do not fall in love, there cannot be any broken heart. This does not mean we are not attached to some of them, but I try to keep a distance so that one does not get too involved. It also makes you not to miss them too much. Of course, it is always sad to see the fall of the one you love, but it is not the end of the world.

I never won the reality show I participated; I was a finalist, but everyone can now see the gap between the winner and me. I say to them that when they fall along the way, they should count their blessings and use whatever experience they gained in the outside one.

There was a time you spoke really badly to one of the contenders from Benin, Royal George. Don’t you think that was too harsh?

What do you expect me to say? Do you expect me to say that it was a lovely performance and he could do better next time?

No, I am here to tell them the truth and the truth could be bitter. Initially, you may say it is harsh but sometimes you have to be harsh in order to help them. You are not being harsh because you want to bring them down. If you are too nice to them, they perhaps think they are the best and the judges. The truth

was that he had a very terrible performance. It could be annoying at times too because you know the person could do better and he has got only one or two minutes to make an impression.

Can you tell us about your record label, Soul Musik?

The label runs itself and we have a team of people doing different works, from promotion to public relations and to production. We have two artistes signed under the label - Moeasy and Zaina. They just dropped new singles. While Moeasy’s new single is titled Ragabomi, Zaina’s single is called Sare Wale. Within the few days of release, they are already getting enough of airplays, interviews, etc. The label is doing well and I am also signed to the label. So, I am back in the studio, working on new songs. It is going to be a very busy year for Soul Music artistes and myself.

Do you plan to return to radio?

I would like to own my station. I do not want to work for anybody. In fact, I have started making plans already. The skill is something that cannot go away. Anytime I have interviews on radio stations, I feel at home. If I noticed that the presenter’s volume is a bit low, I naturally made attempt to adjust it myself. It was fun when I was with the radio.

Moeasy has been with you for almost two years now, what exactly is delaying his album?

We are in a market where everybody wants to hear an album. At the end of the day, it is never about the album but the songs.

I would rather allow him learn a lot about the industry than just putting him out there.

When the album comes out, what is next?

We don’t want the album to come out and it fails to attract the right purpose. So, it is not about what is being expected of him; it is about him being ready. Gradually both of them are getting there with the release of their new singles and they are learning

that all that glitter is not gold. A lot of hard work goes behind the scene and they need to understand how tough it is. It could take some time, but when he (Moeasy) eventually comes out and everyone will be proud of him.

How do feel that your kind of music (Soul) seems to have small followers in the country compared to the other genres?

I feel so happy because it has paid my bills. Although, it can always get better. Look at where I am today. I took the right decision and it is also about being true to yourself.

Inasmuch as I enjoy fuji, reggae, hip-hop, etc I am a soulful or rhythm and blues person.

My challenge now is always to fuse that with my African roots. I am not trying to appeal to everyone. You cannot make everybody happy. Believe me, once you start to play to the gallery, you lose your sense of originality.

My followers know what to expect and they are happy when they get it.

How do describe the competition between you and Banky W as to who is the king of Rnb?

There is only one king. I have never heard anyone being called king of Rnb. If some people do not know who the king is, my new materials will remind them. It has taken sometime, but I am very happy with what is coming out. Special Favourite is out! The video with Rita Dominic will drop in a matter of days. Also, my new songs will soon be everywhere. My new projects will remind you of Darey.

So I do not see Banky as competitor; he

is my cousin. I compete with myself. I always have a duty to be better than where I was yesterday and that is my challenge because I don’t try to be somebody else.

When I released Not the Girl, it stayed on top of the chart for so long. You don’t need to do a disco song before you shine; a well written and produced song will always shine regardless.

What is the original idea behind your concert, Love Like A Movie?

It is all about raising the bar. We’ve been doing these things for so long and we know what is obtainable. If you go to a concert in Nigeria, you can close your eyes because you know what to expect. We challenged ourselves and asked why we are always okay with people just miming and dancers wearing skimpy dresses. So we thought about something different. Love Like a Movie is a proudly Nigerian production and it aims at raising the bar across all levels, including creativity, technicality, etc. We also placed importance on collaboration. By the time you see the reality show or behind the scene recording, you will see people collaborating. You will see Italians and Nigerians brainstorming and sharing ideas. They came with their experience and Nigerians joined theirs too. And in collaborating, we learn and teach. This is what Love Like a Movie has created. It is now a brand of its own. When we did the first edition, people thought it was a mistake. We have done a successful second edition now and the massive awareness of this edition made it better.

20 showbiz

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Laffmattazz: Illuminating Ibadan after the Soka forest horror

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he ancient city of Ibadan, Oyo State, takes pride in its many relics of war, commerce and immense political influence, but its pristine name was soiled by ritualists who settled in Soka, an Ibadan suburb, to perpetrate heinous crimes against unsuspecting young and old. In a fresh development, frontline comedian and master compere, Gbenga Adeyinka’s annual show, LAFFMATTAZZ, is giving the city its lost groove once again tomorrow, Easter Sunday.

The comedian has promised his teeming fans it will be one of the most wondrous times the city has known since creation as the fourth edition of the show brings a jaw-dropping list of stars to town.

Designed to be a one-stage one-show 32 artistes’ event, this season of the show sponsored by Maltina, Sterling Bank and First Bank features Tuface, MI, Wande Coal, 9ice, Julius Agwu, Ali Baba, Okey Bakkasi, Laffup, Femi Adebayo and

E-BRIEFS

Gbenga Adeyinka

Julius Agwu

Fathia Balogun-Williams, Jaywon and Capital Femi in what has been regarded as the largest convergence of talents to perform in Ibadan. Little wonder the showbiz calendar in Ibadan also attracts more corporate brands like Squadron, Action Bitters and Chams. “We are very careful with the packaging of this event because we want parents to feel comfortable watching this show with their children as it’s mostly a family affair at Easter. This is why

Toolz recounts blessings on instagram

A Heck of a time for Stephanie OkerekeLinus at Jonathan’s Daughter’s Wedding

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alkshow host, Tolu Oniru a.k.a Toolz, shared the story of her phenomenal rise with fans on her Instagram recently. Her inspiring lines partly read: “I’m not one for long epistles on Instagram, but sometimes I think about my journey and I am still truly baffled. God is so incredibly awesome! Five years ago, I moved back to Lagos, not knowing what to expect, but willing to work very hard. The plan wasn’t to go into entertainment/media…the plan was to manage properties, but God had a different plan. I remember being so insecure when I did my voice-test and not really thinking I was any good. Then I got a call back offering me a position – My own show. I remember thinking – these people are having a laugh, I’ve never done any presenting in my whole life. Then my show on the Beat got popular, and bigger and greater things followed. I’m eternally grateful to everyone involved in this journey. It’s not always easy, sometimes being in the public eye makes you want to stay in bed and sob all day, but by His grace I keep on keeping on. I get so emotional when people send me emails, saying I inspire them. I never ever thought it would be like this. I’ve come a long way and I’m proud of where I am today…I also know God has only just started! Moral of the story- never give up and remember that with God, anything is possible.”

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ctress Stephanie Okereke-Linus made a good outing at the nuptials of President Goodluck Jonathan’s daughter, Faith Sakwe and her man, Godswill Osim, which took place on Saturday, April 12, at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. But the actress had the misfortune of falling victim of overzealous fans who ripped a part of her dress as they reached for her in excitement as she made to enter the reception hall. Other guest artistes who made it to the wedding like Davido, P-Square, D-Banj, Iyanya and others were also almost “mobbed” by fans.

Tiwa Savage sheds weight in prep for Dubai wedding

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inger Tiwa Savage has pulled another stunt by shedding some weight in search of the hour glass shape for her coming wedding with Tunji Balogun a.k.a T-Billz in Abu Dhabi. Photographs of her were uploaded recently by Linda Ikeji, drawing a flurry of comments. Many fans criticized her new looks, admonishing her to keep some flesh.

we chose the artistes carefully and also the brand we deal with,” Adeyinka said. The event holds on Sunday, April 20, at Kakanfo Inn at 2pm and tickets are already on sale at the Filmhouse cinema Ibadan, Kakanfo Inn, Beat fm, Real food and Wine as well as Options24/7. The Laffmattaz concert series is a premium quality brand that tours the Southwest region of Nigeria, taking first class comedy and music to people outside Lagos.

Bimbo Manuel voices resentment at AGN

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ctor and director, Bimbo Manuel, said in an interview with TheNetng that he would never run for the president of the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria because the acting body is filthy. In his words: “I will not. I know what happens there. it is not simple politics they play there at the AGN. It is filthy. I will not go there. My father will turn in his grave to find me living on the level those guys live in to get to those positions.” He has since been getting praise and knocks for being down to earth on the matter. While many believe it’s a wise man’s talk, some insist he should enlist in order to remove the filth, if any exists at all.

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21

Nikki Laoye-Oturu: On a prudish path to stardom Oyenike Laoye-Oturu, known professionally as Nikki Laoye, is a recording artiste, singer, songwriter and dancer. With her urban contemporary fusion of alternative rock, R&B, hip-hop, pop, soul, funk, jazz and Gospel, this songstress’ career is already gathering as much steam as required. Here’s her story shared with LANRE ODUKOYA. THE HIATUS

IN THE BEGINNING

took a break from music for a while in 2011 when I lost my dad (Prince Olusola Isaac Laoye) especially as he took his last breath in my arms. It was a traumatic period for my mum, myself and my brothers because we are a very close family. It felt like a huge part of us had been taken away and it definitely took us a while to begin to re-adjust to his absence. But God has been faithful and awesome as His love heals us daily.

Music and Arts run in the Laoye blood as I hail from the lineage of the late Timi of Ede, Oba Adetoyese Laoye of the LaoyeAjeniju Ruling House in Ede, Osun State. My siblings, cousins and I all grew up watching our grandparents and our parents sing and display different creative traits which we had no choice but to replicate. My dad was the lead singer of a band and my mum used to be a part of a dance troupe; so it was easy for me as I started singing at the age of two. My parents picked up on this and enrolled me in the church choir at the age of five and since then, I have always been a part of choirs, dance groups, drama teams all my life. Professionally, I started off being a part of a girl group, Soul Sistas, with Debola Kester and Aby from 2000 to 2005; I also worked with Tosin Martins for a while before kicking off my solo career in 2006.

I

THE HEADIES’ AWARD

Winning the Best Vocal Performance (Female) category was just the memorial I had asked God for, to let me know that the tears and the pain I had been through wasn’t in vain.

The song, Only You, which was nominated for the winning category, is actually dedicated to my dad and I do thank God for giving me the chance to dedicate the award to his memory and also to my number one father of all, God, who held my hand through it all. Now it’s a new year, my fans and friends should expect the best of Nikki Laoye. With my music, my radio show and my NGO foundation, I am just going to do more of what has been g ive n t o me.

MY MUSIC STYLE

With my music, I set out to be an urban contemporary

Christian artiste, a born-again Christian, a worshipper, a lover, a fighter, a survivor, a motivator and, above all, I am a woman.

A human being going through the general motions of life so I want to speak about it all - my faith, my God; speak about life’s issues and experiences and also speak about love and relationships.

The most important thing for me is that music is my vessel of communication and all I want to be is a voice of encouragement, healing, hope, inspiration, joy, straight from heaven’s gates to the hearts of men. People will always tag my music in their own understanding: gospel, inspirational, R&B, soul, hip-hop, even recently a new one has been added - secular gospel. I do thank God for how far I have come with my music. Of course, it’s been good but like Oliver Twist, I need a whole lot more. Professionally, I have been doing music for 14 years.

AWAY FROM MUSIC

I do a lot of things asides music. I run Nikki Laoye’s Angel4Life Foundation, which provides developmental and educational support to visually impaired and physically challenged youths, whom I also mentor. I also host my own radio show, Girls Rock with Nikki Laoye every Thursday between 5pm-7pm on online gospel radio station, PraiseWorld Radio. And at the same time, I am a project manager with the management company I am signed to - WaHaLa Media Entertainment whilst I also have my own graphics design company, Scribbles by Nikki Laoye. I certainly do a lot, I must say.

MUSIC ALL THE WAY

Music will always be my first love, my first true purpose while I am on this

RESUME Born in Lagos, Laoye hails from the musical lineage of the talking drum legend, the late Oba Adetoyese Laoye from Ede, Osun State. She rose to fame in 2006 with the hit single, Never Felt This Way Before from her debut album, Angel 4 Life released in 2008. It also featured other notable singles, including the hip-hop collaboration with Rooftop Mcs and her brother, Rap2Sai. Nikki Laoye was the only female contender alongside top male Nigerian Artistes - M.I, Banky W and Naeto C for the “HipHop World Revelation (Best New Artiste)” category of the 2009 HipHop World Awards and also clinched a Headie last year.

earth. It’s the air I breathe. I will always do other things alongside it, but I can never quit music.

BETWEEN CAREER AND MARRIAGE

I’ve been married for two years now to my friend, Alexander Oturu, and our secret ingredients are friendship, love and sacrifice, Understanding and more love and sacrifice. We are still a young couple, learning and growing daily. So, it’s all about creating a balance. Music is a full time job for me.

So, it does require a lot of my attention but my hubby is very understanding and he is a part of my management team as well and loves what I do. But, of course, we have learnt to constantly create our “us” time away from everything and everyone.

KEEPING THE PRIDE

I am a very passionate and loving woman.

It’s not easy. It all started as a personal commitment I had made to God when I turned 13 and I asked him to help me keep my word and he certainly did. Also, it meant a lot for me to keep that very special expression of love for that special person I would get married to. It was a fairy tale ending for me and I made sure I got it. I married as a virgin.

ON ANTI-GAY LAW

Personally, I am all for man and woman relationships only. I believe it’s the ideal plan by God when he created humankind. I just think the law and the 14 years imprisonment are unnecessary.

Nigerians, even before the law, don’t appreciate or condone the gay mode. So, to me, it doesn’t change anything. We have other pending law matters for more important issues we are facing as a nation, still waiting to be addressed. Protection of the Nigerian citizens, the senseless killing of young unarmed students and our electricity issues.

All these and more.

These should be looked into fully instead.

22 SHOWBIZ

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 19 april 2014

My look is enough to make people laugh Nigerian actor John Okafor popularly known as Mr. Ibu (a character from one of the movies he starred in) has cut a unique image for himself in Nollywood and won him several fans with his self-deprecating humour. He spoke with OLUSHOLA RICKETTS What was your background like?

I hail from Nkanu West Local Government area of Enugu State. I oame from a very humble family and background. We were eight children but three died. We lost the first boy and another boy in 1997. We then lost a girl who was already married with kids. She was poisoned by a man who wanted her despite the fact he knew she was married.

She even made it clear to him. My sister only came for the Christmas celebration in the village. The man pretended he had no ill feelings towards her after my sister explained things to him. He got her a drink, but unknown to her, it was poisoned.

It was the following morning I received a call from her phone and the voice I hear was another person’s. Nobody would have known who killed her, but after two weeks, the same man started shouting and running around calling names of people he killed. My sister was the last person he killed. I was not there; I was told. Our father too died early.

He was also poisoned.

How challenging was it growing up without a breadwinner?

Even before our father died, we were feeding from hand to mouth. The night he died, heavy wind came and blew off our roof; we sat under the rain till dawn. We later got accommodation in my maternal home after my mother explained our predicament. After his death, we experienced another level of poverty.

Having a meal a day was almost like the best, and we were groomed not to receive food from anyone since we lost our father to poison despite being very care-

ful. Our mother did the work of a father and mother; she also did the work of a guardian. It was later discovered that my father’s closest friend was responsible for his death. Although my father died quite early, his history cannot be overemphasized in my village. Within the few years he lived, he made an impact. He brought Christianity to our community and built the church, carrying bricks on his head. Though nobody is a saint; my father was never too. He must have probably done one or two things wrong, but he had that strong belief in God and he gave us that orientation.

You learnt photography and was reputedly a hairdresser.

Can you speak more on

that?

In other to make ends meet, I did all sorts of jobs. I became a good stylist and I am still good at it. We introduced California Curls in my own time and I was also a photographer. If there was a school organising their inter-house sports, I often went there to do “wait and take” pictures.

I was also a butcher. Every morning, we would boil water in big pots for those who were killing pigs. I later learnt how to kill the pigs to increase my income. I derive joy in anything I do. I also worked in a crate industry. Then, crates were made of woods and we were paid according to the number of crates we could assemble.

I’m very frugal; any money that came my way was so valuable to me. I saved to go to school, as I have always believed in education. I would also give some to my mum and my siblings. I later went to Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu, to study mass communication.

What informed your love for comic roles in movies?

I have been a comic person right from my primary school days. My teachers did not beat me for what I said or did. My look is enough to make people laugh.

Sometimes I wonder why I have this look (smiling). My mother was a beautiful woman with a lovely, straight nose and my father had fine eyes, tall and slim with good walking steps. I do not know how I came about my own look. I am so different even among my siblings; my younger ones either look like my mum or dad.

How did your acting career begin?

Back then in Warri, we used to a watch black and white television owned by someone in the community. We only had few houses that had TV, so all we did was look through the windows. On a certain day, we were told a live shoot was going on somewhere around the community. We all ran to the location. It appeared they lacked manpower, so a few of us were selected to fill the scene.

I was among the few. It was more of a “waka pass” (extras) role but I was so excited and motivated I featured even though the cam-

era didn’t capture my face. It all began that day.

How did you come about the name Mr. Ibu?

I have always been known as Ibu. People called me by that name and I inherited it from my grandfather. When a scriptwriter told me he would like me to be the lead actor of his film and wanted to use the name Mr. Ibu, I said “no problem”. Mr. Ibu is the brand name; Ibu is my name.

Can you recount some other challenges you have had?

Well, I really suffered when I was kidnapped. I got no assistance from the government and Nollywood. Apart from my own kidnap, my family was kidnapped: my wife, son and two in-laws who are in my care were kidnapped. I had to bear the cost all alone and one year after the kidnap, my son died. For the industry, the challenge I go through is part of what makes the industry unique. I think I am enjoying every bit of it.

How do you think piracy could be curbed?

The government is not helping us to fight piracy, even the film corporation seems not to be effective. For our movies, we put in a lot of money to make sure they get into the market, but the pirates sell more than the owners. I have always asked the government to set up an antipiracy board just as we have the EFCC and NAFDAC to help complement our effort. This would help writers to write more, actors will be more effective, singers will sing more and the marketers and consumers will all have what they deserve. Nowadays, nobody buys ordinary CDs; people just copy and you begin to hear it everywhere. Network providers use songs as caller tunes and the owners do not even get paid. You might be shooting a movie and pirates would be literally next to you. What they do is to pick few scenes and the next thing you see is your movie being sold in the traffic. This is really discouraging. I want the government to give us a film village we can call our own. Ghana has got a headquarters, but we the giant of Africa who started movies do not even have a national office. I know the Presidency is a friend of Nollywood, but it’s being deceived by the wrong people. I have never received anything and I don’t want to receive anything that is not used well. I do not go to government houses because people will think I came to beg. I only go when I am duly invited and I leave.

How would you describe yourself?

I am a very tactical person, strict, lovable and caring. I invest a lot in human beings.

How do you relax?

I watch football a lot.

showbiz

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 19 april 2014

23

Lekki: The new celebrities’ playground There are neighbourhoods around the world that have become favourite haunts for celebrities. Examples include Beverley Hills and Sunset Strip, both in Los Angeles, California, in the United States; Belgravia and Kensington, in London, United Kingdom. Lekki, a stretch of reclaimed marshland along the Atlantic coastline in Lagos has suddenly become the prime choice for Nigeria’s A-list artistes. This new obsession is a huge contrast with the trend in decades such as the ‘70s and ‘80s when neighbourhoods on the Lagos mainland like Yaba, Ikeja and Surulere were the showbiz hotspots, and thus held a special allure for celebrities who spared no cost to reside close to these locations. Although the preference for Lekki may seem inexplicable given the perpetual gridlock along that axis, the status it presumably confers on residents however makes the pains of commuting bearable. Besides, there is the desire to live close to executives of blue chip companies from whom potential endorsement deals could arise. Also, given that nearly all the major entertainment events are now held on Victoria Island, Lekki’s proximity makes it irresistible. The trend which began a few years ago has since notched an impressive roll call of artistes who can afford the hefty rent. As they say, fame doesn’t come cheap. LANRE ODUKOYA writes.

FUNKE AKINDELE

She’s one of the most decorated artistes in the Yoruba movie genre.

The actress, who struck fame via her appearance in the popular soap opera, I Need To Know, is the latest “migrant” to Lekki in the movie industry.

Two weeks ago, she was reported to have relocated from her Lagos Mainland abode to a private estate in Lekki. Apart from acting - she has yet not been bitten by the singing bug like many of her colleagues - the Glo ambassador also owns Scene One School of Drama. She rented a fourbedroom apartment.

FLAVOUR N’ABANIA

Sometime in 2011, Flavour was ejected from a seven-bedroom duplex in Magodo, Lagos, after a fall-out with his record label, Bad Beats. He was said to have signed a threeyear two-album deal with the label before a breach that soured the relationship. From there, the afro-pop singer moved to a temporary abode

in Festac and after a couple of juicy endorsements from Glo, Guinness and a few others coupled with scores of successful hit songs and shows, the singer’s new found fortune has been an incentive to own a posh apartment in Lekki like a legion of other top players in the league.

DON JAZZY

Mavin Records boss and former president of the moribund label, MoHits, is not new to living large.

After relocating from the United Kingdom with his ex-creative partner, D’Banj, to form MoHits they lived somewhere in Maryland before striking gold and hopping on the luxury train to the Island. Later on. Don Jazzy bought an apartment at NICON Estate, Lekki.

TUFACE

One of Africa’s most talented singers, Tuface has lived in Festac Town for many years. He also owns a couple of landed properties there

Don Jazzy’s Lekki Fortress estimated at N160m

Genevieve Nnaji’s rented castle in Lekki

believed to have her fingers in many pies as she’s mostly in company of some nouveau riche friends.

TOYIN AIMAKHU

Mercy Johnson

Akindele

until recently when he apartment. Dr. Deji is the started spreading his Davido chairman of Keplo-Pacific tentacles. For business purEnergy, a company with interpose, he acquired a space in Ikeja est in banking, steel and power. Little GRA where he floated a pub, The wonder comedian Bovi remarked in Rumors. He further went ahead to a joke that Davido’s past is steeped in buy a twin luxury duplex from Haluxury than many Nigerian celebriven Homes in Lekki, for which he ties can ever hope. He owns a N140 paid the sum N160 million where million castle in Lekki. he’s relocating his family.

DAVIDO

23-year-old singer David Adeleke with the showbiz moniker, Davido, is a son of a billionaire who owns a startling number of properties in Lekki Phase One. Dr. Deji Adeleke named some of the streets after his dear ones and after Davido returned from the US, he started his career in his dad’s mansion until lately when he moved out to rent his own

TONTO DIKEH

Brazen actress and singer, Tonto Dikeh, is one of the actresses who live in Lekki, a point she never fails to flaunt.

UCHE JOMBO

Uche Jombo Rodriguez is famous mostly with works from Emem Isong’s Royal Arts Academy. The actress and producer who got married two years ago has since upped her game which reflects in her public appearance. She has relocated to Lekki. She’s a proud tenant in the posh apartment.

DAYO AMUSA

Tuface’s twin duplex acquired from Haven Homes for N160m

Dayo Amusa is relatively the least known in this listing, but the Yoruba actress and producer carries herself with impressive charm, rides in some wonder-on-wheels and stages classy parties at the drop of a hat. The actress shot a Nollywood movie titled Unforgivable last year making it the second from her stable. Dayo also resides in a rented home in Lekki. She’s

This prolific Yoruba actress is one of the best where she operates, utterly riveting and sometimes lewd as may be required by the script. She got married last year to a fellow actor and relocated from Lagos mainland to a rented apartment in Lekki with her new family.

MERCY JOHNSON

By far the busiest Nollywood actress today, according to figures from Nollywood marketers, it really doesn’t come too expensive for an actress who was swarmed with movie scripts even when she was pregnant with her first child in the United States. Mercy Johnson doesn’t seem to carry so much elegance, but her startling prowess is a magic wand. She resides in a rented apartment in Lekki with her family.

GENEVIEVE NNAJI

Where else would she be living?

Nowhere seems to suit the status of this super actress and model than Lekki, particularly given her many endorsements and clout.

Genevieve doesn’t own a home in Lekki actually. She’s a tenant even though there are speculations that she owns two properties in Lagos.

D-BANJ

Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo, entertainer and businessman was the vice president of the defunct MoHits label. His story from the mainland to highbrow area of Lekki is not different from Don Jazzy’s. He’s also one of the proud landlord of choice properties in Lagos including Lekki.

My Weekend NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

19 APRIL 2014

24

I am not the party type –Wey Fredericks Oluwaseyi Wey, the CEO of Fedograph Techniques, an art and graphics design outfit, with specialty in invitation printing. In this interview with SEGUN EDWARDS, he says he fixes appointments on Saturdays for his clients but still finds time to relax with his family.

H

e passes easily for an unassuming person. But the passion for art lives in him. Frederick Wey, soft spoken and creative graphic artist is the CEO of Fedograph Techniques Limited. He is a designer of choice, taste and aesthetics, who holds the belief that Africans are more endowed with the artistry of arts in whatever form that can be imagined.

Although his clients’ busy schedules during the week days affect his weekends as he fixes his appointments on Saturdays, Wey still finds time to relax with his family and watches football when he is free.

He puts it succinctly: “To be very sincere, my weekend is very tight because some of my clients are very busy people during the working days. So, we always fix appointment for Saturday. That is when some of them come to see samples of what they want me to do for them.

“On Sunday, I go for church service then spend the rest of the day with my family. At times, clients fix appointment for Sunday. After leaving, we do the remaining business online like payment, sending of samples and so on. Some of them come around on Sunday to feel the quality of the papers we use.”

Wey says he runs a business which compels him to succumb to the interest of clients at the detriment of his valued rests on most weekends.

He adds that protests from his family particularly his wife have ceased with time as his marriage of almost 20 years now conforms with his tight work schedules.

According to him, the initial indifference shown by his wife some years back has given way to total understanding from her, adding that at times, “she comes to my office on Sundays to keep my company.”

Wey says, “No matter how tight my schedules are, I still manage to enjoy once in a while free weekends,” adding “I spend such time with my family because I’m not the outgoing type of person, I don’t party. So, most times during holidays I stay with them. The only time I rest very well is when I travel abroad.

When I return, I face the hustle and bustle again.”

He says at times, he travels abroad for short rest or to attend printing exhibitions, noting that his entire household doesn’t always enjoy such privilege with him due to cost implications.

The fair-complexion Yaba College of Technology Fine Art graduate says one of his main past time is to listen to good music as well as watching football , with particular interest for the Spanish La Liga.

Wey, a staunch supporter of Real Madrid Football Club, says apart from watching football, he finds time to listen to good music.

“I love Real Madrid Football Club, that is my club and I love to watch the team play.

Everybody around me knows that is my club,” he explains. But his sentiment for his club has not pushed him to wear the team’s jersey as a fan, neither has he considers travelling to watch his club play in Spain.

He also explains why his support for the club does not extend to donning its jersey. “I am not the jersey wearing fan. May be I don’t really like to flaunt that this is the club I support. But I love the team so much and everybody around me knows that I am a Real Madrid fan. I have also not travelled to watch my team play live. I have not even been to Spain in all my trips abroad.”

But he hopes to watch his team play live soon, saying “l am looking forward to an opportunity to watch my team play live.

May be very soon I will watch them live.”

His menu on weekend, Wey says “I love Nigerian menu, particularly eba and egusi prepared with beef.” Adding, “I love red wine, which is my favourite drink. I take just a bottle of it at home whenever I’m with my family because it is also very good for the heart to function well.”

He says that he relates well with his family at every opportunity he has and whenever he is with them at home, particularly with his children.

Because of his love for Art, he will have loved to see one of his children take after him to allow for continuity but his four children, according to him, prefer another

path.

Part of the tricks he used was to buy calligraphic pens for his children to arouse their interest in Art but this, he says, is not enough to influence their career choice.

Africans, he argues, are better endowed in Art expressions, recalling how he won the heart of an exhibitor in calligraphic writing during an art exhibition in the UK. Wey says, “During my last trip to the UK for an art exhibition, there was a stand where I saw a white woman who displayed a calligraphic pen. She told participants the history of calligraphy.

She had these feathers that she put into an ink and ask test them to test them on a paper.

“I was looking at her and some people from India and across other parts of the world. They were captivated at what she was doing. Then I said ‘madam please can I have one of the feathers’ and just a single inscription on the paper, she screamed because she did not believe that someone from Africa could do that.

“She became interested in me. She

got m y contact and everything because what she was doing there she saw it as extraordinary. But it has always been part of me. My inscription was better than what she was showing to everybody there.”

His expression portrays some frustration of a man who is scared of not having an heir apparent to succeed his kingdom. He expresses his seeming frustration like this: “At times, when I look at it, I have the fear that I will die with the talent in me without being able to put it in my children.

“My first child, a boy, is into Banking and Finance, the second, also a boy, is pursuing his career in Economics, while the third, a girl is eyeing a career in Mass Communication.”

Wey explains that graphic art in a lay man’s language saying: “Fine art is the main body that encompasses the entire Art. Under Fine art we have creative art, we have sculpture, weaving and so many.

Through the Ordinary National Diploma one would have to gone through the rudiment of Fine art.

“So, an individual would know where his strength is before picking a channel to follow for the rest of life. After doing Fine art in the art school, I saw my skill in graphics in the early 80s. So, I took to graphics and since then, there is no turning back. Graphics is the most creative aspect of Fine art and you have to be very creative to be a good graphic artist.”

He enjoys the advantage of working for Nigerians and other nationalities as he says contacts for jobs from such people come from referrals. “The people I have worked for that were impressed and that can tell others that ‘if this is what you want to do in Nigeria, this is the person we think can handle it for you. These are Nigerians in the Diaspora and it is constant,” he says.

EVERTON SEEK TOP FOUR REVIVAL

p.28

YOBO FACES LIVERPOOL ‘FIRING SQUAD’

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How clubs intimidate opponents with fetish items

}p-26

Rufai

Iran, Bosnia

My fears for eagles – Rufai Charles Ogundiya

A

Mikel

former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, on Wednesday shocked our correspondent when he stated that his fears at the forthcoming World Cup lies with the outcome of Nigeria’s games with Iran and Bosnia Herzegovina.

Rufai argued that the two teams have nothing to lose and could play the spoilers role for any of the favourite teams in the group.

He stressed that Nigeria and Argentina were favourites to qualify but anything can happen in football.

“I fear those two teams just because we do not know them well enough and our moving ahead lies largely in the outcome of our games against them.

“Again, for any teams to qualify for the World Cup, it means the team is the best from its Confederation; Argentina is our last game in the group, but if we think we can overrun Iran

and Bosnia, believing Argentina alone is our problem, then we are missing the point.

“The boys should take the game against Iran and Bosnia as the World Cup final itself, if we can do that, Nigeria will go far in Brazil,” he said.

On the payment of Super Eagles technical crew’s salary till June, Rufai commended the NFF and hope it would spur the team to achieve results.

“It is a good development paying the salaries of the technical crew till the end of June; the federation has also planned some friendly matches for the team towards the World Cup. These are all good initiatives,” Rufai said.

He also said that the experience of the technical crew will be an added advantage to the team.

“Looking at the Super Eagles technical crew, we have Stephen Keshi as the head of the technical crew and other members of the team have been part of a particular team or another in the past. “ Keshi was also head of Togo and Mali in the past, he has proven what he can do as coach of the national team, winning the Nations Cup after so many years for Nigeria,” said the former Deportivo La Coruna of Spain goalkeeper.

“With all these positives put together, there is no doubt that the Super Eagles will perform well at the World Cup in Brazil.”

Eagles have only one keeper –Babayaro }p-27

Keshi right to delay World Cup list –Esin

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Doping: No hiding place for athletes – Nesiama

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I want to follow my father’s footsteps into Eagles – john

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26 SPORT

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 19 april 2014

Leaguemania with Chimaobi Uchendu princehench@yahoo.com

08114495359, 08092747532

How far can gate takings carry League clubs?

The Heartland draw dilemma!

H

K

ano pillars, Enyimba of Aba and maybe Rangers and Heartland of Owerri are some of the clubs that can boast of gate takings in the Premier League.

Pillars in particular, have the greatest paying supportership in the league. But monies realised from gate takings hardly do these clubs’ finances any good because of their huge financial commitment.

In Kano, Pillars can boast of about N500, 000 (Five hundred thousand naira) in gate takings, when a club like Rangers or Enyimba come visiting, but the bottomline is, what would the money be able to do for the team.

The harsh economic climate in the country coupled with security hazards, have not helped the situation and it might continue like this until clubs devise other means of making money from gate takings like clubs in Europe.

Paul

Aigbogun calls for better League officiating

T

he Technical Adivser of Warri Wolves, Paul Aigbogun has advised the League Management Company (LMC) to pay more attention to officiating if they want football to grow in the country.

Aigbogun described the officiating against Sunshine Stars at the Akure Township Stadium on Sunday which ended in favour of the Akure team as a disgrace.

The former Enyimba head coach described the red card given to Michael Egbeta for time wasting as laughable.

Warri Wolves will tomorrow lock horns with Nembe city in a rerescheduled match and Aigbogun has urged his boys to work hard and put the 3-2 loss in Akure behind them.

Heartland of Owerri players singing the club’s anthem before a match recently

JUJU IN THE LEAGUE?

How clubs intimidate opponents with fetish items N igeria Premier league story will not be complete, without the mention of some practices by virtually all the 20 participating clubs aimed at intimidating one another before, during and after matches.

Initially, it was practised by few of the clubs, but the bug had since caught on and all the clubs have jumped on the band wagon.

Fans that throng league venues during match days watch in amazement, different styles, clubs adopt as strategy to demoralise their opponents, in form of chants, ornaments spraying, and sorts.

But investigation by Leaguemania, has revealed that all the razzmatazz part of entertainment to the fans and a strategy to intimidate each other.

The team coordinator of Enyimba international of Aba, Okey Nwabeke said: There is no potency in whatever our supporters perform on our players before kickoff of every match. It is part of entertainment and symbol of the club.

He tasked this reporter to go and investigate how many times Enyimba had lost matches even when all the “ritual” had been performed. “ My brother that thing you see a man that has his eyes painted with chalk pour on our players powder that was bought at the regular mar-

ket, and the other things that fly in the air are the materials used by wedding planners.

Coach Emmanuel King, of Akwa United, said he had come to accept this practice because it has nothing to do with the performance of players on the pitch.

“I’m a coach with Akwa United; we have our club anthem which the supporters club sings before we play any match. Some individuals also make some incantations to intimidate our opponents. I consider all of this as part of the game and entertainment, because juju does not work in football.

Emeka Nwani, a League follower for over fifteen years has a different view. He said most of the clubs live in ignorance by engaging the services of marabouts and all manner of men to help them win matches, instead of fortifying their teams with good players and managers.

“This is a scenario that has come to stay with us, most if not all the clubs engage in this barbaric style of living in this jet age.

They might pretend, it is for entertainment but most of the clubs patronise the jujumen to get results.

OLD EST MAN IN THE LEAGUE

Alhaji Kwarainga... playing in his 19th season with Gombe United

eartland have endured an indifferent start to the season; with six games into the current campaign they are still in search of their first league win of the season. Three successive home draws this season have made fans of the Owerri based club agitated regarding what the season holds for the club.

Having not fared better on the road as well with losses away to Crown FC and Gombe United; the only moral boosting result that came the club’s way was the last away game at the Ahmadu Bello stadium against Kaduna United which ended in a 1-1 draw.

How handy will the result in the Crocodile city against Kaduna united come for Heartland in the next few weeks as the club goes in search of its first league win of the season? This definitely is the conundrum that needs to be unraveled.

As they host Elkanemi Warriors at the Dan Anyiam Staduim this weekend, maybe, they can break the draw jinx and work their way up the ladder as contenders for the league crown.

El-Kanemi Pillars Gombe Nembe City Sunshine Giwa FC Enyimba Dolphins Kaduna Utd Nasarawa

DAY 6 RESULTS 2-0 Lobi 3-1 FC Taraba 1-0 Sharks 0-2 Bayelsa 3-2 Warri Wolves 0-0 Abia Warriors 1-0 Akwa Utd 0 - 0 Rangers 1 - 1 Heartland FC 1 - 0 Crown FC

DAY 7 FIXTURES Abia Warriors vs Sunshine Stars Akwa United vs Kano Pillars Bayelsa United vs Enyimba Crown FC vs Kaduna Utd Gombe Utd vs Dolphin Heartland vs El-Kanemi Lobi Stars vs Nembe Sharks vs Nasaraw Utd Taraba FC vs Giwa FC Warri Wolves vs Enugu Rangers TOP SCORERS 4 GOALS Aminu Isah (Kaduna United FC) 3 GOALS Nnamso Edo (Akwa United FC) Kingsley Eduwo (Sunshine Stars FC) 2 GOALS Dele Olorundare (Sunshine Stars FC) Luther Iyorhe (FC Taraba) Bobby Abel (FC Taraba) Okafor Onyekachi (Crown FC) Ifeanyi Egwim (Dolphins FC) Seun Sogbeso (Nasarawa United FC) Ifeanyi Inyam (Sharks FC) Terkaa Melai (Lobi Stars FC) Christian Obiozor (Rangers Int’l FC) Peter Ebimobowei (Bayelsa United FC) Kabiru Umar (Kano Pillars FC) Ezekiel Mbah (Kano Pillars FC) Gambo Mohammed (Kano Pillars FC

Eagles have only one goalkeeper –Babayaro Vincent Eboigbe

E

mmanuel Babayaro has said that Nigeria has only one world-class goalkeeper ready for the forthcoming FIFA World Cup in Brazil. He is Vincent Enyeama.

In an interview with our correspondent on the telephone, the Atlanta ’96 football gold medallist noted that this was a dangerous gamble in a championship that will parade some of the best and biggest strikers in world football.

Babayaro dismissed the other two goal tenders-Austin Ejide and Chigozie Agbim - insisting that Nigeria can definitely do better with a population of nearly 200 million football people.

“I don’t have so much confidence in the goal keeping department. As far as I am concerned, we are going to the World Cup with only one good keeper, Vincent Enyeama,” Babayaro said.

“What that means is that the Super Eagles do not have any cover. What happens if Enyeama

gets injured for instance? For a country of nearly 200 million football crazy people are we saying we can’t get good goal keepers? For me it is a failure of the goal keeper’s trainers.

“Football is psychological. If defenders know that they have a good cover at the back they are more likely to venture forward, but if they don’t have confidence in their goal keeper they will tend to sit deep in their own half, and that is to the detriment of the team.”

Babayaro reserved his more scathing remarks for third choice goal keeper Agbim. The retired goal keeper said it is strange how Agbim can make it to the Super Eagles with the array of talents that is available in the domestic league, again blaming this on the laziness of coaches who don’t want to make the effort to groom goal keepers.

“The thought that crossed my mind the first time I saw Agbim ‘was which goal keeper trainer picked this man for the National team in a country like Nigeria?’

Keshi right to delay World Cup list –Esin

F

Jude Opara Abuja

T

Enyeama

“Agbim is not tall and if you recall several of the goals he conceded during CHAN had to do with his height challenge. Also, he has weight problem, his mid rift is bulging and this definitely affects his reflexes. As far as I’m concerned, our keeper trainers are ready to settle for whatever is available rather than make the

Charles Ogundiya

T Keshi

to run the team as he has proved himself since he took charge of the Super Eagles, having led them to conquer Africa in 2013.

“You should understand that Keshi knows what he is doing because he was the coach that returned the Eagles to winning ways by their victory at the last Nations Cup in South Africa and qualified the team for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

“Nigerian football was in a terrible state before Keshi took charge.

Any attempt to disorganise Keshi’s selection process would affect the Eagles’ success in Brazil.

“He is in charge of the Super Eagles, he knows the players that are fit for the World Cup better than any other person,” he added.

27

Nigerian referees can rule the world-Chung

efforts to train those that show potential.

“I have watched our league and I have seen goal keepers with potentials who can be groomed to make the grade at the National level, but nobody seems to be looking their way. I can’t understand that,” Babayaro added.

Doping: No hiding place for athletes – Nesiama

Chimaobi Uchendu ormer Nigeria international Etim Esin has supported Keshi’s decision not to make his World Cup provisional list public until next week, and has urged stakeholders not to interfere with Keshi’s player selection process ahead of the 2014 World Cup. Esin said Keshi’s decision to delay the release of the provisional list had to do with careful and diligent approach not to miss quality players who could make the difference in the team.

“Keshi is taking his time to release the World Cup list because he does not want to make mistakes that will cost the team dearly in Brazil.

“He has enough quality players to pick from and nobody should intervene in the selection process,” the former Calabar Rovers star said.

Esin urged the Nigeria Football Federation to give Keshi a free hand

SPORT

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 19 april 2014

he era of athletes embarrassing the country at international competitions through doping will soon be a thing of the past according to the Technical Director of the Athletic Federation of Nigeria, Navy Commodore Omatseye Nesiama.

While revealing this to our correspondent, the AFN board member said the Federation is tired of athletes putting the country in bad light through doping “We are ensuring that no Nigeria athletes go to any competition without being tested for doping. If you perform any good feat, you will be tested, if you don’t perform well, you will be tested. There is no hiding place again for anybody.

“We are not just targeting 1st and 2nd, it is going to be a random selection, I can also confirm to you that so many athletes were tested during the Golden Meet in Abuja. Before we don’t normally lay so much emphasis on this, but this time around, we make sure the anti doping control agency is present at every of our meet,” he said.

When asked how the federation will monitor athletes when there is no competition, Nesiama said; “We are also engaging in out of competition testing, we are making use of WADA’s anti doping laws, we must know where our top ten athletes are at any time and we should be able to conduct test on them at any time, whether in competition or out of competition. That is one thing we are putting in place to check any embarrassment from doping.”

Nigeria currently has the highest number of doping ban in IAAF, a situation that has caused the country a lot of embarrassment in some past competitions.

AFN president, Solomon Ogba

he era where Nigerian referees are left out during international championships like the FIFA World Cup and the African Nations Cup will soon be a thing of the past.

The Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) and Confederation of African Football (CAF) Referees Instructor, Lim Kim Chung said all Nigerian referees need to do is continue to train and be abreast of modern techniquesof officiating.

Kim Chung who was in Abuja for the FIFA seminar organised for Nigerian referees said it does not take much for referees to be selected to officiate in high profile football matches adding if a small country like Mauritius could produce him then it will be easier for Nigeria.

“Your Nigerian referees are very good and I had the opportunity of seeing some of them. All they need to do is to continue to train and to keep abreast of the modern techniques of the game.

“The football federation is doing well to expose them to seminars like this and I am optimistic that very soon they will be officiating at the World Cup”.

The Mauritius national made his mark during his heyday by officiating some high profile football matches including the epic final of the 1994 African Nations Cup championship between Nigeria and Zambia which the Super Eagles won 2-1.

Lordson positive despite lack of action Charles Ogundiya

S

ince his move to Warri Wolves, former Abubakar Bukola Saraki of Ilorin midfielder, Iuchill Lordson is yet to taste action, but he remains positive that he will soon get his chance in the colours of the Seasiders.

Lordson moved to Warri at the end of last season after the relegation of ABS to the lower division despite an impressive performance for the club.

Speaking on his lack of first team action, Lordson said; “Well I am yet to play my first game for the club but that’s not an issue for me. When I moved to Warri Wolves, I knew it is a different terrain entirely; I know my time will surely come.

N

orwich defender, Joseph Yobo, will come against the Premier League deadliest strike force when Liverpool arrive at Carrow Road on Sunday.

The Reds have in their fold the two highest goal scores in the land; Luiz Suarez and Daniel Sturridge have scored whopping 49 goals between them as Liverpool chase their first league title in over two decades.

Saurez knows how to score goals in this kind of tie and he has combined very well with Sturridge to wreak havoc on especially smaller teams.

It remains to be seen if Yobo

genyi Onazi’s Lazio will come against Serie A best striker,

Onazi tangles with red-hot Immobile

and his teammates will stop the rampaging duo as both team pursue different course with the match. Liverpool want to boost their title chance with a win, while Norwich need all the points to escape the drop.

Shola Ameobi will be delighted to be handed his first start in three months when Swansea visit Saint James’ Park. Ameobi has been operating at the periphery of the Magpies squad and he has voiced his desire to play more in the remainder of their matches this season.

Sone Aluko might start from the bench for Hull city as they host Arsenal. This tie is a dress rehearsal for the two clubs ahead of their FA Cup final battle.

E

Barca to vent

verton must beat Manchester United today to revive their hopes of picking a Champions League ticket ahead of Arsenal.

Everton’s loss to Crystal Palace in midweek dealt a huge blow to their Champions League aspirations, and with a tough game coming up against Manchester City, they really need to beat United at home.

They do raise their game though against the bigger sides, having recently beaten Arsenal 3-0 at Goodison Park, and having won at Old Trafford earlier in the season. With United’s injury problems, Everton will probably be favourites to win.

Manchester United have a slim chance of catching Everton and will hope that they can continue what is the best Premier League away record this season with an-

Manchester United •Wayne Rooney and Marouane Fellaini could both miss out against their former club.

•Jonny Evans is nearing a return to fitness but this game may come too soon.

•Shinji Kagawa could get another rare start.

Everton •Roberto Martínez’s team selection against Crystal Palace did not work and he will make changes for this game.

•That should mean James McCarthy returns in central midfield, while Steven Naismith could start once again.

•Pienaar is amongst 6 players still absent.

TEAM NEWS

Beat Toffees for us,

other win here. Everton have been on good form of late though - bar a midweek slip-up - and they should get back to winning ways.

David Moyes who is a former Everton manager will in all likelihood get a poor reception.

The Everton fans are still upset their former manager tried to pinch their best players on the cheap last summer. Most are happier with Martinez in charge.

The likeable, charismatic Spaniard is helping Moyes’ old team team challenge for a place in the Champions League—probably at United’s expense.

In just one season, he has managed to do what Moyes couldn’t in 11 by winning at one of the big grounds. That was achieved in December at Old Trafford—also at United’s expense.

United have little to play for in the re-

...as Moyes returns to Goodison Park

L

PSG, Lyon clash in French Cup final

H

amburg’s hosting of Wolfsburg on Saturday will see both sides

Hamburg, Wolfsburg in crucial battle

aurent Blanc will try to ease some of the pressure on him when Paris Saint-Germain face Lyon in the Coupe de la Ligue final.

PSG coach Blanc’s position at the Parc des Princes has been the subject of speculation following the capital club’s exit from the UEFA Champions League at the hands of Chelsea.

The Ligue 1 leaders lost 2-0 in the second leg at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea progressed on away goals after levelling the tie at 3-3.

And PSG followed up that disappointment with a listless performance at Lyon’s Stade de Gerland last weekend, slumping to a 1-0 loss that cut their advantage at the top of Ligue 1 to 10 points.

Blanc’s men should still be able to secure a second straight French title despite that reverse, but those recent defeats have maining five games of the season, but in the led to reports that the former spirit of this most unfortunate of seasons, France coach could be relieved it would be foolish not to look at what else of his duties. can go wrong.

Everton seek Top Four revival

Global Football Special

Yobo faces Liverpool ‘firing squad’

Yobo

EAGLES FOCUS

ajibade.olusesan@newtelegraphonline.com

ajibade oluSesan

www.newtelegraphonline.com/metro

NEW TELEGRAPH

No 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Pts 82 79 78 62 56 52 51 44 41 40 38 37 37 37 35 34 32 31 30 22 Team P Pts Bayern 30 78 Dortmund 30 61 Schalke 04 30 58 Leverkusen 30 51 Wolfsburg 30 50 M’gladbach 30 49 Mainz 30 47 Augsburg 30 42 Hoffenheim 30 40 Hertha 30 37 Frankfurt 30 35 Bremen 30 33 Hannover 96 30 32 Freiburg 30 32 Stuttgart 30 28 Hamburger 30 27 Nürnberg 30 26 Braunschweig 30 25

BUNDESLIGA

P 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33

LA LIGA NO TEAM 1 Atlético 2 Real 3 Barcelona 4 Bilbao 5 Sevilla 6 Villarreal 7 Sociedad 8 Valencia 9 Espanyol 10 Levante 11 Málaga 12 Vallecano 13 Granada 14 Celta Vigo 15 Elche 16 Osasuna 17 Valladolid 18 Getafe 19 Almería 20 Real Betis

PTS 77 75 71 67 66 60 57 48 46 43 40 37 36 34 33 33 32 30 29 26

PREMIER LEAGUE

NO TEAM P 1 Liverpool 34 2 Chelsea 34 3 Man City 33 4 Arsenal 34 5 Everton 34 6 Tottenham 34 7 Man Utd 33 8 Southampton 34 9 Newcastle 34 10 Stoke 34 11 Palace 34 12 West Ham 34 13 Hull 33 14 Aston Villa 33 15 Swansea 34 16 West Brom 33 17 Norwich 34 18 Fulham 34 19 Cardiff 34 20 Sunderland 33

28 SPORT NEW TELEGRAP 19 apr

O

B

G

Charles Ogundiya olden Eaglets coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, has said Spanish giants, FC Barcelona, will bounce back from the crisis facing the team at present.

The team was beaten to the Copa dey Rey trophy by rivals, Real Madrid, a week after they were knocked out of the Champions

TOM Watson, the United States captain, has changed his tune over Tiger Woods as the world No 1 battles to be fit for the season’s remaining majors and September’s Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.

In the immediate aftermath of Woods having the back surgery that forced him to miss The Masters for the first time since 1995 last week, Watson inferred that he’d pick him for the match in Perthshire if he was simply fit and healthy.

to win trophies every year, losing out of the champion’s league which is the big one, losing the Copa dey Rey to Real Madrid and they are about to lose the league. To me as an ex-player, it is a big crisis. I have been there before and I don’t think it is a pleasant thing for the players,” he said.

R

o m a’s desire to keep the pressure on Serie A leaders Juventus faces a major test when they visit Fiorentina on Saturday.

Rudi Garcia’s side is eight points adrift of the two-time defending champions with five league matches remaining.

Overhauling Antonio Conte’s team would take something special, and extending their seven-match winning streak is a must for Roma.

Juve are at home to Bologna earlier on Saturday, meaning

Liverpool striker Danny Sturridge is out of their crunch game with Norwich City.

The Mirror says the England international underwent scans after limping out of the Reds’ massive weekend victory over Manchester City.

Sturridge is unlikely to be fit enough to play in such a crucial encounter and will instead concentrate on rehabilitation work to be fit for the following weekend to face his former club Chelsea.

Sturridge

SPORT BRIEFLY

League by Madrid neighbor, Athletico Madrid.

Speaking with New Telegraph, the former Barcelona player, said despite the glaring crisis facing the team, the players can still get something out of the season.

“For a team like Barcelona, it is a difficult time for the team and the players.

This is a team that is built

playing for plenty, in the twilight of the Bundesliga season.

Mirko Slomka’s men occupy the relegation play-off spot in 16th, but are equally close to safety as they are to being assured of the drop to the second tier.

Stuttgart sit one place and one point above them, while Nuremberg are one point below in 17th.

With four games to play, Hamburg must string together some consistent results to escape the danger zone, as they have failed to go unbeaten in consecutive games across their past six fixtures.

Roger Federer is putting fatherhood ahead of next month’s French Open.

The world No. 4 says being at wife Mirka’s side for the birth of their third child is more important than competing at the clay court grand slam in Paris.

Federer

the gap could be 11 points before Roma’s kick-off.

Roma attacking midfielder Adem Ljajic takes on his former club, but his future may lay elsewhere as he looks for regular opportunities.

The talented Serbia international has been linked with several clubs, and a move looks set to happen in the off-season.

With Mattia Destro, Gervinho and Francesco Totti in form, it has been tough for Ljajic to break in for a regular start.

Fiorentina sit fourth and still have slim chance of finishing third and sealing a place in the qualifiers for the UEFA Cham-

...Juve host Bologna

Team Liverpool Liverpool Man City Man United Man City Southon Arsenal Chelsea

Team Torino Juventus Verona Napoli Inter Bundesliga Pos.Player Goals Team 1 Lewandowski 17 Dortmund 1 Mario Mandžukic 17 Bayern Munich 3 Adrian Ramos 16 Hertha Berlin 3 Josip Drmic 16 Nürnberg 5 Raffael 15 M’gladbach 5 Stefan Kießling 15 Bayer Leverkusen 7 Marco Reus 14 Dortmund

Serie A No Player Goals 1 Ciro Immobile 19 2 Carlos Tévez 18 3 Luca Toni 17 3 Gonzalo Higuaín 17 5 Rodrigo Palacio 15

La Liga No Player Goals Team 1 Cristiano Ronaldo 28 Real Madrid 2 Diego Costa 26 Atlético Madrid 3 Lionel Messi 25 FC Barcelona 4 Karim Benzema 17 Real Madrid 4 Alexis Sánchez 17 FC Barcelona 6 Antoine Griezmann 16 Real Sociedad

EPL No Player Goals 1 Luis Suarez 29 2 Daniel Sturridge 20 3 Yaya Touré 18 4 Wayne Rooney 15 5 Sergio Agüero 15 6 Jay Rodriguez 15 7 Olivier Giroud 14 7 Eden Hazard 14

TOP SCORERS

Bundesliga Saturday Dortmund v Mainz Braunschweig v Bayern Augsburg v Hertha Freiburg v M’gladbach Bremen v Hoffenheim Hamburger v Wolfsburg Sunday Nürnberg v Leverkusen Stuttgart v Schalke

Serie A Saturday Atalanta v Verona Catania v Sampdoria Chievo v Sassuolo Genoa v Cagliari Lazio v Torino Milan v Livorno Parma v Intern Udinese v Napoli Juventus v Bologna Fiorentina v Roma

La Liga Saturday Osasuna v Valencia Levante v Getafe Sociedad v Espanyol Sunday Almería v Celta Vigo Vallecano v Real Betis Sevilla v Granada Barcelona v Bilbao

EPL Saturday Tottenham v Fulham Aston Villa v Southampton Cardiff v Stoke Newcastle v Swansea West Ham v C/ Palace Chelsea v Sunderland Sunday Norwich v Liverpool Hull v Arsenal Everton v Man Utd

SERIA A

No. Team P Pts 1 Juventus 33 87 2 Roma 33 79 3 Napoli 33 67 4 Fiorentina 33 58 5 Internazionale33 53 6 Parma 33 51 7 Torino 33 48 8 Milan 33 48 9 Lazio 33 48 10 Atalanta 33 46 11 Verona 33 46 12 Sampdoria 33 41 13 Genoa 33 39 14 Udinese 33 38 15 Cagliari 33 33 16 Chievo 33 30 17 Bologna 33 28 18 Livorno 33 25 19 Sassuolo 33 25 20 Catania 33 20

FIXTURES

pions League.

Napoli, who occupy third place, travel to Udinese on Saturday and would need a late-season form slump to give up the spot with nine points cushion.

Inter cling onto the final UEFA Europa League place ahead of a crucial clash at Parma.

Walter Mazzarri’s men are two points clear of Parma, who will be desperately chasing all three points to move into fifth.

Roma face huge test against Fiorentina

each of their last four games.

Giroud, though, has called on United to assist the north Londoners and wants to see them triumph at Goodison Park as David Moyes returns to his former club.

“We need to win the last four ‘finals’ because we don’t have our destiny in our hands,” he told Arsenal’s official club website. I hope Everton will lose against maybe Manchester United this weekend. We keep focusing on what we have to do and win our games. After that we will see but first we have to do the job.”

arcelona will shift focus to the La Liga after losing Copa dey Rey title to Real Madrid on Wednesday. They will face Atletico Bilbao who are also chasing a champions League qualification.

Barcelona suffered a major blow to their title hopes with their shock defeat away to Granada. Anything but a win - assuming Atletico win again - could officially end their hopes of retaining their title.

The Catalans have been highly inconsistent of late, playing superbly one game only to effectively not show up for the next.

Reports of strife at boardroom level down through to the dressing room suggest that morale and harmony are not exactly in abundance in Catalunya. livier Giroud wants to see Manchester United come out on top against Everton on Sunday so boost Arsenal’s hopes of finishing in the top four.

The Gunners, who are currently fourth in the table and one point above Roberto Martinez’s side, will guarantee qualification for the Champions League if they secure victory in

Giroud asks Man Utd

anger on Bilbao

Barcelona’ll bounce back – Amuneke

Ciro Immobile, when Torino visit Stadio Olimpico on Sunday.

Onazi scored his first league goal in Lazio’s 4-2 loss to Napoli last weekend but his major work today will be to cut the supply to deadly Immobile.

Onazi has been one of the consistent names on Lazio team sheet, only Candreva has played more than the 27 matches the Nigerian has racked up among Lazio midfielders and Coach Edoardo Reja will rely on the amazing runs and power of the 23-year old to stop Immobile. The Torino’s deadly striker is the leading scorer in Italy with 19 goals in 29 games.

Joel Obi may be given opportunity to play against his former club, Inter Milan when the Nerrazurri face Parma.

The Nigerian was overlooked in Parma 1-1 draw at Bologna last week but he will surely be delighted if given his eighth cap.

O

Tiger Woods

eal Betis midfielder Nosa Igiebor is a major injury worry ahead of the clash against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.

During training on Wednesday, the 23 - year - old suffered discomfort on his left knee and could not complete the exercise.

The Nigeria international tried to resume training but this was not successful, despite receiving treatment from club medic Dr. Tomas Calero.

Igiebor managed to return to the pitch after that treatment but the problem persisted and he had to leave the pitch.

But the medics at the club suggest the problem should not prevent him from being available for the weekend clash.

He has made 11 appearances and has scored one goal for the Andalusian outfit this term.

R

Igiebor in fitness race for Vallecano tie

Igiebor

PH ON SATURDAY pril 2014

SPORT

29

30 SPORT

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 19 april 2014

‘I’m proud of my large boobs!- S erena

I

t’s clear Serena Williams is proud of her body.

But the 32-year-old tennis champion has revealed that wasn’t always the case - as she used to yearn for a more traditionally athletic figure.

But with her success on the court, which she is currently world number one, Serena learnt to love her body.

‘I’m proud of my large boobs!’ Serena Williams said.

‘When I was young I thought I should be built more like an athlete—long and lean—not with a womanly figure.’

But as she found increased success Sernea developed a huge following.

She explained: ‘But then people my age started coming up to me and saying, “I love you because of the way you look.” That was really motivating.

‘So I learned to be proud of my curves and embrace my large boobs. It’s all about loving who you are and realizing that you’re beautiful.’

While Serena is today thought of as one of the greatest players in history, she also enjoys sport for fun.

‘For me it’s so important to mix it up, I ran, and then I biked,’ she tells Fitness. ‘Then I did elliptical … I tried yoga.

‘I started dancing because I couldn’t train when I was sick. We started making up moves, and it was fun. Now I run for 10 minutes and then I dance.’

I struggle to fit in exercise with two kids- Rooney’s wife

S

he’s one of the England’s premiere WAGs, with a multi-millionaire footballer husband and a career as a budding designer.

But Coleen Rooney has revealed that she too suffers from body hang-ups, and is not always confident slipping into a bikini on her numerous sun-soaked exotic holidays.

Opening up on her diet

Serena

and exercise habits, the 28-year-old Liverpudlian admitted she struggles to find the time to put in long hours at the gym while looking after her young sons, Kai, three, and Klay, 11 months.

But the glamorous brunette explained she finds it easier to focus prior to a beach break, and has taken up reformer Pilates ahead of the summer season.

Lifestyle Kate

BOWLED OVER!

Prince William, Wife play cricket

T

he Duchess of Cambridge narrowly avoids getting hit in the head by a ball as she plays cricket in heels and a suit during game against husband Prince William.

The couple were at an engagement in Christchurch to publicise the Cricket World Cup. According to onlookers, Prince William threw ‘a wild full toss’ past his wife’s head William also got the chance to bowl to a number of schoolchildren.

Still, the Duchess of Cambridge didn’t hold back when asked to try her hand at a game of cricket with Prince William in New Zealand.

Unfortunately for her, neither did her husband. As the second-in-line to the throne took a run-up and bowled, he let fly ‘a wild full toss’ that whistled past Kate’s ear.

Abraka Turf bubbles for Easter

A

braka Turf Club has concluded plans to make this year’s Easter holiday a memorable weekend for its teeming patrons and guests with the forthcoming Abraka International Polo Tournament revered as one of the most prestigious polo competitions in the country.

With the confirmed participation of Nigerian top polo players and their foreign counterparts from Europe and the rest of Africa, this year’s edition billed for April 18 to April 21, 2014, promises to be the most exciting in years.

Tournament Coodinator Adaeze Igwe confirms that top Nigerian teams were already on the ground to vie for honours in the fiesta, while delegates from Cowdray Park and Ham Polo Clubs from the UK, are expected to be part of the fiesta.

Regular teams like Ashbert Raiders, MRS, Abuja Rubicon, Keffi Ponys, Ashton Wells and

WITH

Chimaobi Uchendu

princehench@yahoo.com

08092747532

Aqua Dulcis are listed for action with players from Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja and Kaduna matching talents and wits in what promises to be a a weekend of intense, invigorating polo at the highest level.

As usual, glittering prizes will be at stake, but inevitably, it is the Patrons Trophy with another scintillating parade of world class professionals that has got polo fans salivating at the guaranteed prospect of yet another Abraka high goal extravaganza.

Nestling in the tranquil and a natural beautiful environment along the virgin bank of the mysterious Ethiope River revered for its crystal clear waters and rich aquatic community, the Abraka Turf and Country Club is the ultimate home to discerning

audience with diverse and exotic taste.

Twenty minutes drive from the Osubi Airport in Warri in the sleepy village of Oria, the Turf is the ultimate experience in the Delta that offers something special for everyone to enjoy.

From its foremost equestrian centre to other sporting facilities sporting activities like archery, clay pigeon shooting, lawn tennis, squash, canoeing, and a driving range for golfers, this resort is a perfect escape from the stress of the cosmopolitan life.

Last year, Fifth Chukker polo team claimed the glittering Coronation Cup defeating Ashbert Raiders at foremost Abraka Turf & Country Club Ground for their second major polo title in the oil rich Niger Delta.

Decided over two days, the game was tied several times and never out of reach of either team until the final chukka rally by the

Prince Albert Esiri and his son Ari Esiri set for their Open Cup game at the recently concluded Lagos International Polo Tournament in Ikoyi. Esiri is hosting a world class line up at this year’s Easter polo tournament at his Turf Club in Abraka.

Kaduna visitors that separated the two with a 10-7win over their host.

The rivalry between the two teams was one worthy of respect as they tried to play an open

game, making it more interesting for the spectators, but also bearing the defensive aspect in mind.

The highest difference however, seemed to be the 10-7 scoreboard at the end of the confrontation.

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 19 april 2014

SPORT

31

I want to follow my father’s footsteps and play for Eagles – American-born Remi John You featured for the United States at the 2005 Junior World Cup in the Netherlands.

How would you describe your performance at the tourney, which also had a Nigerian team in attendance, some of whom are now core members of the senior side like John Obi Mikel?

William Oluremi John, whose father Adeniyi John played for Nigeria in the late 60s, came into the limelight at the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup in The Netherlands where he appeared for the United States of America. In this interview with IFEANYI IBEH, the midfielder speaks on his relationship with former Nigeria international players. Excerpts:

The Youth World Cup was incredible. Just the whole experience of knowing you will be playing against the world’s best is exciting. We were a good side. A bit unlucky to have been knocked out in the second round but that’s football! After the preliminary rounds, the Nigerian U20 team moved to our hotel, I met up with some of the players and Coach Samson Siasia. I invited my parents to meet them and they came over and met everyone. It was fun.

you in it?

Unfortunately, you weren’t able to break into the US senior side after featuring for the youth sides. Why do you think that was the case?

I can’t say for sure! I know in the case of one of the former coaches I just wasn’t his style of player. I tend to be very creative and sometimes flashy. I was called into the U-23 Olympic camp but was told I didn’t fit the type of soccer that the team would be playing in Beijing which was a bit less possession oriented and more focused on a very organized defence and good solid tactics as their way to win. These types of things happen in club football as well. It’s just about finding the right match.

There are reports that Jurgen Klinsmann is thinking about including you in his plans for the World Cup.

I bring attacking style, good vision, creativity and most important very technical finishing ability. I would hope that I would improve the team. That’s my aim in every team that I’m a part of. To be a key part in helping the team win. It’s one of the main reasons I play. I am also quite versatile. I can play as an attacking midfielder, support striker or winger. My strengths are one versus one skill, my vision and pace and my ability to create scoring chances with my technical ability.

You play in Azerbaijan. Tell us about your club and how were you able to move all the way from the US to the other part of the world?

I started my career with three years in the MLS (Major League Soccer) For the Chicago Fire and Sporting Kansas City. The League has improved a whole lot since I’ve left in 2008. I’ve had the chance to play and travel all over the world. I spent quite a bit of time in my career playing in Eastern Europe; in Serbia and Croatia, which can be very tough places to play.

At my club now I play in the number 10 role as well as out wide on both the left and right wings.

I’ve heard that but there’s nothing official, so far.

Fortunately, you’re available to play for Nigeria. How much do you know about the team, and the country?

I know a lot about the team and the country actually. I grew up watching tons and tons of Nigeria games. I’ve probably seen the 1996 Olympic semi-final and final matches several times.

I was at the very first game Nigeria played in the World Cup in 1994 against Bulgaria. I can remember Rashidi Yekini’s goal and celebration perfectly. Before the game I actually had the chance to meet current coach Stephen Keshi who signed a ball for me which I still have.

The last time I was in Nigeria was 2001 for my Grandmother’s memorial. Later in the week we had an opportunity to go see the Nigerian U17 team play against the Brazil in Lagos.

Brazil won 4-3 and it was a great game.

How was your dad able to influence your love for the beautiful game?

How keen are you to play for the Super Eagles?

(Laughs) It’s slightly a bit of an understatement to say that he influenced my love of the game. When I was little he would come home from work and teach me how to dribble and pass and he set up cones for me to dribble around. I owe my great technique to him. My technical ability is now one of my greatest assets. Apart from that he coached me all the way up until I became a pro so he was a main figure in shaping my game.

(Laughs) That’s an easy question. I would love the opportunity! I can’t say that I haven’t dreamed about it since I was young, especially given all of the influence Nigeria has had on my skills and game. I want to play for the Super Eagles.

Tell us about your dad, Adeniyi John. Did you ever get to watch him play, even if it’s in the company of his old buddies?

In the event you’re called up to the Super Eagles, what do you think you’d be bringing to the team? Would the team be better with

I have seen videos of my dad playing of course! We’ve played together many times actually. (Laughs) We understand each other very well on the field. He is still coaching

kids and when I’m on break from playing and at home visiting my family I go to help coach.

It’s a lot of fun.

Does he talk a lot about the good old days of Nigerian football when he and his friends from that era hang around?

Yes! Definitely! I’ve heard some crazy stories from back in the day. One of the best was from the 1969 Principal Cup quarterfinal game. My Dad, who played for St. Finbarr’s, went up for a corner and was hit on the side of the head by another defender. He went down to the ground but he was okay to finish the game.

The next day, walking with his brother, Yomi John, he had a severe headache and ended up in the Hospital. He was in a coma for two days!

After waking up he spent the next 10 days in the hospital and missed the semi-final game. As no one knew what had happened to him there were rumours that he had died.

Two days before the final he was released from the hospital and went on to score the first two goals of the championship game as the captain and they went on to win the game.

He’s also told me about playing and training alongside Inua Lawal Rigogo, Tony Igwe, Peter Anieke, and the late Jerry Azinge while he was in the national team squad, as well as when he was called into the squad that played against Pele’s Santos

from Brazil in 1969 and the World Cup Qualifier in Yaoundé against Cameroon. I’ve heard some cool stories, and they’re inspiring.

In the late 1990’s (former Super Eagles coach) Shaibu Amodu visited our home in Overland Park, Kansas with (late Super Eagles defender) Uche Okafor. Uche was a close friend of my father’s. He played for the Kansas City Wizards now called Sporting Kansas City and my dad was one of the team’s doctors.

Uche was a regular at my team’s practices when I was a teenager. He sometimes brought along his friends like (former Zimbabwe international) Digital Takawara and (former Cameroon international) Sammy Ekeme, who actually became my dad’s assistant on my club team for several years.

I also played in a charity match with Sunday Oliseh in Germany in 2009. It was a lot of fun and really cool to meet him as well.

You’re reportedly fluent in six languages.

How true is that?

(Laughs) That’s not true...I’m actually conversationally fluent in seven languages: English, Spanish, French, Italian, Danish, Serbo- Croatian, and German. I speak Russian quite well but I don’t yet count it as a language I speak. I set a goal a few years back of learning 10 languages and I seem to have underestimated my ability. At the time I spoke only three, so 10 seemed impossible.

But Yoruba, Arabic and Chinese are all on my list.

Really! Yoruba! What about the Nigerian Pidgin English?

Apart from some basics no I don’t speak Yoruba but I’ve found that it’s not really a problem to learn a language. It comes down to your desire. I can understand Nigerian Pidgin and Broken English quite well when I hear it but I don’t speak those either....Yet!

32 SPORT

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 19 april 2014

Countdown to Fifa World Cup HISTORY

1994: Eagles finally landed on the world stage

F

Gyan

Ronaldo

Dempsey

Schweinsteiger

German efficiency set to reign supreme Ifeanyi Ibeh

I

n June, it will be exactly 24 years since Germany last won the World Cup and the right to call themselves the best team in the world. But with the recent rise in the number of talented players churned out by German clubs, and with Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund rolling out as many as 14 German internationals at last season’s Champions League final between the two Bundesliga giants, some of the favourites for the World Cup will be hoping Joachim Low’s Die Mannschaft fail to find their best form when it matters most in Brazil as was the case at the last two World Cups and, also, at Euro 2012.

A lot has changed for the Germans though between those tournaments and now as exemplified by the lessons learnt from Bayern Munich and Dortmund’s march to the Champions League final; that through these clubs, the Germans now have a generation of players who now know what it takes to overcome any obstacle and reach the final of a major tournament, and beat the best that Spain, Italy or any other top European side has to offer.

But the World Cup will be on South American soil where the grass on the playing surface is longer and thicker than is obtainable in Europe, along with the heat and high humidity, which will be an issue for all the European teams.

Those conditions notwithstanding, this German side, if they quickly adapt to conditions in Brazil, look strong enough to breeze past their Group G rivals – Portugal, Ghana and the United States – with rela-

Vincent Eboigbe or the first time in its long history, the World Cup took place in the United States, and for the first time too Nigeria qualified for the Mundial.

Appearing in the United States as African champions, the world took notice when the Super Eagles thoroughly trounced Bulgaria, Hristo Stoickov and all, three nil. The Eagles went ahead to qualify for the second round, even though losing to Argentina, the first of a series of World Cup losses to the two-time world champions. For a team making its debut, this was no mean achievement.

But then Nigeria would have gone the whole hog, but for a momentary loss of concentration that allowed Italy to fight back from the dead after having trailed for most part of the second round match. A measure of this is the fact that Bulgaria, who were earlier beaten by Nigeria, went ahead to play in the semi final.

Of course football is not a precise game, but that comparison gives some idea of how far Nigeria would have progressed if things had gone differently against Roberto Baggio and his gang.

Nigeria’s best opportunity of advancing far in the World Cup was lost. The Super Eagles class of 1994 was a culmination or a fulfillment of that quirk that once upon a time there is a coming together of stars in a team.

Brazil went ahead to win the World cup for the first time since 1970; after an agonising 24-year wait, the Selecao managed to beat Italy in the final. Although it was decided through penalty shootouts, the Brazilians were ready to accept it any which way after such a long wait.

With players like Daniel Amokachi, Austin

tive ease and into the knockout rounds.

Low’s side can also boast of some of the best players in the world from Manuel Neuer in goal, to Philipp Lahm, Jerome Boateng and Per Mertesacker in defence; Bastian Schweinsteiger, Sami Khedira, Mesut Ozil, Marco Reus, Thomas Muller, Andre Schurrle, Julian Draxler, Mario Goetze, Toni Kroos and Sidney Sam in midfield, right down to the evergreen Miroslav Klose, who is just one goal shy of Ronaldo’s all-time World Cup finals tally of 15.

Klose will however be 36 by the time the World Cup gets underway and Low will be hoping Lukas Podolski can rediscover his best form in time for Brazil 2014 and remain injury-free.

Portugal coach, Paulo Bento, will also be hoping that his captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, will be fit for the World Cup. Not that Portugal are a one-man team, but realistically the form and fitness of the Real Madrid star will determine how far they go in Brazil.

His brilliance masks the continued lack of a top-class striker in the Portuguese side since the exit of the likes of Pauleta and Nuno Gomes from the international scene.

And at the age of 28, the reigning World Player of the Year is at the peak of his game, but he and his teammates will be under immense GROUP G FIXTURES 16 June Germany vs Portugal 16 June Ghana vs USA 21 June Germany vs Ghana 22 June USA vs Portugal 26 June Portugal vs Ghana 26 June USA vs Germany

pressure to get to the semi-finals once more after achieving that in Germany 2006.

Ghana captain, Asamoah Gyan, will also be under pressure to lead the Black Stars past the group stage.

At their debut World Cup in 2006, the Black Stars made it to the last 16, and four years ago in South Africa, they got to the quarterfinals.

Even though United States have beaten Germany, in the past year, their coach, Jurgen Klinsmann, has set a minimum aim of reaching the knockout stage.

FACT BOX GERMANY FIFA ranking: 2 Appearances: 19 Best Ever Finish: Winners (1954, 1974, 1990) Key players: Bastian Schweinsteiger and Mesut Ozil Captain: Philipp Lahm Manager: Joachim Low PORTUGAL FIFA ranking: 3 Appearances: 6 Best Ever Finish: 3rd place (1966) Key players: Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe Captain: Cristiano Ronaldo Manager: Paulo Bento GHANA FIFA ranking: 38 Appearances: 3 Best Ever Finish: Quarterfinals (2010) Key players: Kwadwo Asamoah and Asamoah Gyan Captain: Asamoah Gyan Manager: Kwesi Appiah USA FIFA ranking: 13 Appearances: 10 Best Finish: Third Place (1930) Key players: Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore Captain: Clint Dempsey Manager: Jurgen Klinsmann

VERDICT:Don’t expect the Ghanaians to go past the first round this time around but expect the Germans to top the group, with the Portuguese and Americans battling for second spot.

Okocha, Sunday Oliseh, Emmanuel Amuneke, Uche Okechukwu etc, from the class of 1994 still around, Super Eagles were expected to go one better in 1998 than they did four years before.

Nigeria defeated Spain 3-2 in a pulsating opening match with Oliseh blasting in the winner past Spanish goalkeeper Andoni Zubizareta. Although the Eagles lost the second match to Paraguay, they still advanced to the second round where they were billed to face Denmark.

But the classic Nigerian arrogance or even cockiness took over. There were talks in camp and back home in Nigeria of how the team will play Brazil in the quarter final after beating the Danes. It was the thinking then Brazil will be intent on avenging their defeat to the Dream Team at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics in the semi final of the football event.

With this mindset and unneeded distraction it was no surprise that that the Eagles were thoroughly humiliated by Denmark in a better forgotten encounter. Brazil went ahead to qualify for the final against France who were looking to win the World Cup for the first time on home soil.

The highpoint of this match was the mysterious illness suffered by Ronaldo who was initially ruled out of the tie but was later certified fit to play. The defending champions were beaten comprehensively by an inspired Zinedine Zidane performance as Les Bleus finally came good.

Beside Zidane, France paraded greats like Didier Deschamps, Emmanuel Petit, Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry, Bixente Lizarazu, Youri Djorkaeff etc. It was a fitting finale for a great side on home soil.

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 19 april 2014

THE ARTS

33

Fostering The Story-Teller’s Art: Eave On Demand Meets ‘Nollywood’ Didi Cheeka

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he story-teller’s art goes back thousands of years: beginning around the light of a campfire and now in the darkness of the cinema and in the comfort of one’s own home. This art - engaging and entertaining the audience with an interesting narrative about interesting characters - necessarily involves a great deal of craftsmanship. Analysis of scripts and films is central to this craft - script-writing is, afterall, filmmaking on paper. To foster this increasingly difficult craft GoetheInstitut Lagos, together with EAVE presented EAVE ON DEMAND in Lagos - a tailor-made project development workshop for Nigerian writers & producers. = The project offered to producers and script-writers the possibility of receiving professional support in the realization of their scripts.

Aimed at all those who take an interest in the ancient art of storytelling - and to encourage talented people to tell their stories - EAVE ON DEMAND in Lagos was structured as a four-day workshop for producer-writer teams from Nigeria with feature or documentary film projects in development.

Eight projects in development (documentary and feature films) were selected for master-classes on script development, co-production and finance and legal issues of development and co-production.

The producer-writer teams worked on their scripts in a creative atmosphere, where they profited from the expertise of experienced production and script consultants - whose aim was to guide participants to develop strategies for the final step: to turn their script into a film.

After the workshops, the participants will work further on project

REVIEW development and were set specific tasks. A good script is a one which succeeds in doing what all films should do: steer clear of boredom and touche the audience’s emotions. It was a revealing process exploring how a film achieves this.

Looking at the masters is a crucial part of any learning process and can also be a source of major inspiration. Using scenes and sequences from a variety of films and genres, the workshop broke down both individual scenes and longer sequences into their many parts, focusing on how to layer scenes so

that they carry maximum impact and story information. All too often, what we remember of a film is not the plot, but one particular scene or sequence. For instance, Evelyn Mulwray’s confession of incest in Chinatown (which was referenced by the tutors.) What is it that makes this scene memorable? Of course, to make a film analysis of a successful film is a sensitive and tricky undertaking.

Experts of the training were: Jacques Akchoti (Script Consultant), Roshanak Behesht Nedjad (Head of Studies/Production Tutor) Jan Naszewski (Sales Agent).

Roshanak of Flying Moon began working in the film industry as a festival coordinator and produc-

Afridance: Reinventing ‘African Cinema’

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hat is ‘African Cinema’? All too often this term erases all distinctions and conflates films from Africa into common denominator. It stems from the exotic notion of Africa as black, and as a country. The theme, Reinventing African Cinema - from a statement by Djibril Mambety Diop - challenges this notion by presenting films from Africa in their narrative diversity.

Organised and curated by director and film critic Didi Cheeka, Afridance offers an exciting mix of screenings and conver-

sations around topics like Invisible Girls, Violent Boys: Africa´s Gangster Cinema.

The screenings will hold at multiple venues across Lagos. It is supported by GoetheInstitut Lagos, Lagos Film Society, Ayo Bankole Centre for the Arts and Cultural Expression, Institut Francais, and the Nigerian Film Corporation, Ikoyi.

Afridance is a four-day screening of films from Africa as part of a conversation on ‘African Cinema’ - to open up filmgoers in Nigeria to alternative (non-Nollywood) narratives from filmmakers of African origin.

tion manager. In 1999, she started her company together with Helge Albers and Konstantin Kröning.

Since then, Flying Moon has produced audience-oriented documentary and feature films with an edge and with a strong focus on international co-productions, with partners from countries like Ireland, UK, Turkey, Iran and many others.

Films by Flying Moon have been screened successfully in festivals and sold around the world, among them are award-winning projects like HAVANNA MI AMOR, winner of the German National Film Award for Best Documentary in 2001 and THE MARKET, which received, among others, Best Turkish Film and Script in 2008. The documentary FOOTBALL UNDER COVER received the Prix Europe Iris 2009. In 2012, Roshanak launched another company, LudInc together with Jan von Meppen. LudInc focuses on Transmedia and Serious Games, with the first project being based in schools in Berlin. Since 2007, there is a strong collaboration with various international training programmes. Roshanak also works as an expert and consultant for various institutions and training organisations such as MEDIA MUNDUS and EAVE. She is a member of the German Film Academy as well as the European Film Academy, an EAVE graduate and group leader.

After his studies at the NYU film school, Jacques Akchoti has worked in different areas of film production with directors such as Robert Bresson, Jean-Jacques Beineix, Lars Von Trier. He then became a screenwriter, script consultant, and headed the development of many French and international films for cinema and television, which obtained selec-

tions and awards at major film festivals. Most recently, Jacques worked on “A Screaming Man” by Haroun Mahamat Saleh, recipient of many awards, notably the Jury Prize at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival.

He has directed a feature film for television and written several screenplays. One of his latest scripts, “Don’t Look back”, a film by Marina De Van featuring Sophie Marceau and Monica Bellucci was part of the Official Selection of the 2009 Cannes Film Festival.

Jacques has been teaching writing and directing at the Femis (National French Film School) since 1988 and has facilitated many international screenwriting and development workshops, which include EAVE, Sud Ecriture, DV8 films, Vision Cinema, Ekran, Interchange, Jerusalem Film Lab. Jan Naszewski, of New Europe Film Sales, has worked in film sales since 2008. After two years of working for a London-based short film sales company, in early 2010, he set up his own Warsaw-based boutique sales company New Europe Film Sales, which sells short films and art-house feature films.

Since 2009, he has been organizing industry events at Poland’s biggest film festival - the T-Mobile New Horizons IFF in Wroclaw (Polish Days, New Horizons Studio) and the American Film Festival (US in Progress). He also works as a matchmaker for the Connecting Cottbus market and an expert for the European Film Academy (EFA Young Audience Award 2014 selection committee). Jan is a graduate and guest lecturer of EAVE and Wajda Film School in Warsaw.

Participant producers and writers included Uba Franklin with the project Oroiku; Chidiogo Uzuegbu with Mami Wata and the German, Chidi Nuel Nwokeabia with A Chance to Dance, Francis k Onwochei with Borderline, Didi Cheeka - In Silence & In Tears, Udoka Oyeka - The Will, Joseph Ubaka Ugochukwu - Missing God, Mariam Adams with Reflection. Participants were provided with the opportunity to develop new skills and knowledge, exchange experiences and establish personal contacts - all of which are valuable aspects in the production of their projects. One can only hope that this script workshop’s focus on the realities of the domestic market will not lead to a defence of mediocrity (in the sense of “telling our own story our own way”), but rather, inspires Nollywood to tell better stories.

- Cheeka is a Marxist critic, writer and filmmaker

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19 APRIL 2014

34

Coca-Cola cuts down marketing spend

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oca-Cola’s chairman and chief executive, Muhtar Kent, has revealed the company spent just “five per cent” of the additional $400m marketing budget it has set aside for this year in its first quarter as the soft drinks maker prepares for a World Cup advertising splurge.

The Coke chief executive officer said the World Cup campaign highlights the efforts it has made to increase both the quantity and quality of its marketing spend.

Speaking on a call to analysts and investors after reporting the compa-

ny’s first quarter results, Kent said: “only a small fraction” of incremental marketing spend was deployed in the three months to March 28.

Outgoing chief financial officer, Gary Fayard, confirmed that while much of the incremental marketing spend had not hit the consumer yet, this investment would be much more weighted in the second quarter.

“The first quarter was about getting the quality of Coca-Cola’s marketing up,|” he added.

In February Coca-Cola announced a five-point marketing

plan to drive a resurgence in revenues, following successive quarters of decline in 2013.

At that time Coca-Cola announced that it plans to make an extra $1bn in productivity savings by 2016, the majority of which it will reinvest back into marketing, which includes a $400m incremental increase in marketing expenditure in 2014.

Kent said Coca-Cola remained “steadfastly focused” on the five strategic priorities it hopes will help it achieve its target of doubling revenues by 2020.

On its plans to accelerate sparkling growth led by brand CocaCola, Kent said the company was overlaying disciplined occasion, price and packaging strategies and engaging with stakeholders to promote trust and enhance the perception of the brands in this part of its portfolio.

Kent, who noted that while it was too early to speak of results, said: “we are confident in our plans and approach which is based on robust analytics across our top markets. The insights from our analysis have equipped us with the

necessary information to prioritise both the quantity and quality of our marketing across markets, brands and media channels.”

He added that judging by the momentum of the first quarter, he and his colleagues would be disappointed “if we don’t go back into the corridor of our long term growth algorithm of volume growth” in the remainder of 2014.

Globally, net revenues declined four per cent year on year to $10.6bn (£6.3bn) in the three months to 29 March. Operating income fell 1 per cent to $2.4bn (£1.4bn).

Odugbeni becomes MediaShare’s helmsman

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he Prima Garnet Africa Group has appointed Dele Odugbemi as the new managing director of MediaShare, its media independent and management agency.

Until his appointment, Odugbemi worked with Aegis Media Group in South Africa, and was responsible for the business growth and supervising of the General Motors Account Team in South Africa.

He also served as the managing director of Ogilvy Africa Media. Odugbemi, an MBA holder in technology management, has over 15 years of experience in multinational media account

management and has managed key clients like Virgin Atlantic, MTN, Diageo, SuperSport, MNet, Nestle, Unilever, Motorola, Airtel at both local and international levels. The media management veteran also worked with the OMD Network where he rose to the position of head of planning and Innovations at MediaReach OMD Nigeria.

Odugbemi, who is particularly strong in unconventional media placement has been involved in a number of significant transactions within and outside the Nigerian advertising industry.

Flour Mills, GTB, Indomie, others for foods & drinks exhibition

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s the countdown to the maiden edition of the Nigerian Foods and Drinks Exhibition also known as the Naija Food Fiesta reaches advanced stage, many Nigerian food and drinks brands, manufacturers of food and drinks processing machines as well as corporate organisations are jostling for space at the exhibition which will hold at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos between Thursday, April 24th and Sunday, April 27th.

Speaking on the development, the managing director, ARESVEEPEE Limited, organisers of the exhibition Miss Kemi Koyejo, said that several organisations have already confirmed participation at the fiesta and have been allotted space for the four-day exhibition.

Koyejo noted that some of the

organisations confirmed for the exhibition includes; Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (GTB), Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, Ayoola Foods, Indomie, Power Oil, Power Pasta, Best Choice Retails Shop, VConnect Global Services the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Dansa Foods, Aqua Dana and Acreage Integrated Food Company makers of Boom range of flavoured drink to mention but a few.

“We hereby call on other interested exhibitors who are in the business of foods and drinks or auxiliary business like manufacturers of food and drinks processing machines as well as corporate organisations to take advantage of the remaining limited space by contacting the organisers as soon as possible” she said.

L-R: Dr. Osi Ogberaha; Otunba Augustine Olufemi Asegbe who represented His Royal Highness, Oba Haruna Abass, Bejeroku of Oke-Agbo with Airtel’s CSR Specialist, Chioma Okolie during the eye screening exercise at Airtel adopted school, St. John’s Primary School, Oke-Agbo, Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State.

Maltina leverages on Lagos carnival, black heritage week In line with its tradition of putting smiles and happiness on the faces of Nigerians, Maltina, from the stable of Nigerian Breweries Plc, has rolled out strategic plans to reward consumers and Nigerians with freebies during the exciting and colourful Lagos Carnival and Black Heritage week.

Maltina’s senior brand manager, Mr. Adewole Adedeji, said: “The Maltina story has always been the story of sharing, friendship, togetherness and a good time with loved ones. We always explore avenues that bring people together in an atmosphere of friendship. And what better way to bring people together than by providing them with what

makes life enjoyable. That is the brand promise we stand upon, that is why we want to make this Easter celebration memorable for our consumers and Nigerians generally.”

The carnival themed ‘Lasgidi’ comes up on Monday April 21, while the heritage week, which is a weeklong event started from April 14 and will end on April 21st with various activities designed to promote the cultural and unique heritage of Lagos State.

Highlights of the Lagos Black Heritage Week include Seminars, school debates, dance drama, painting display, photo exposition, fashion display, film and video fiesta, Lagos Carnival Queen Beauty Pageant (AgbekeEko)

and the Lagos Water Regatta. This week long festival is steered by Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka.

Maltina, as a major sponsor of the events, will give consumers the opportunity to win high-end gifts which will take the form of a vending truck that will be stationed at the venue of the event to dispense various categories of gifts at the touch of a button.

In September and during the Yuletide period last year, the brand provided free bus rides for Lagosians and Nigerians travelling to Port Harcourt, Enugu and Calabar through a lucky dip. The Yuletide initiative was in collaboration with transport company, Young Shall Grow Motors.

Life Experience:

“My boyfriend broke up with me after my sister committed suicide” p.36

Your Meal & Romance How food affects your love life p.38

L ve&Lv ng MICHAEL UCHEBUAKU

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‘I married a blind man through a blind date’ A blind date sounds funny and fun to many people, but for this writer, it was the beginning of a life full of the challenges, joys and blessings that come with living with a visually-challenged partner.

T

hese are the disadvantages to being married to a blind man: always having to be the designated driver, feeling helpless because his cane skills do not stop him from slicing his forehead open on sharp-cornered parking signs, having PMS-induced death glares be ineffective.

These are the advantages: I pick my nose unnoticed, I walk around without pants and without accompanying cellulite shame, I can watch “The Real Housewives” on mute with closed captioning and he doesn’t even know.

When acquaintances ask how we met, I resist the urge to say, “On a blind date, of course!” This is too tongue-in-cheek for everyday consumption, and is not entirely true.

The true story is that I saw him, thought he was hot, and asked a friend to set us up. But for him, it was definitely a blind date -- he agreed to go out with me, knowing only that we shared a mutual friend.

Nervous for the upcoming date, I confided in a friend. She asked me how he would know if I was attractive.

I was suddenly scared -- do I tell him what I look like or do I let him find out? Do I tell him I am overweight, or do I let him find out through touch? Will he recoil in disgust when he touches my too-fleshy upper arm for the first time?

I didn’t describe myself to him. I don’t know when he noticed the characteristics of my body. I do remember that there was a palpable, crackling attraction on our first date. We both vividly remember the first suggestions of this chemistry -- we sat next to each other in a beer bar, and our forearms touched so very slightly. I can still conjure that first, electrical feel of the hairs on my arm grazing his.

We moved onto dinner, and I noted that he couldn’t use chopsticks. He was on his best first date behavior and assured me he was willing to learn. Months later, after we had moved in together, he gave up learning to use chopsticks after one measly attempt.

Sharing our first apartment was one of the most intense challenges I have ever experienced. I understand that when boyfriends and girlfriends move in together there is inevitable arguing and cohabitation-related communication breakdowns.

But we had additional challenges. Like

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

19 APRIL 2014

35

MODEL OF THE DAY Name: Katherine Tel: 0803 263 8739

Love Confession when my boyfriend asked where the paper towels were, and I couldn’t remember, so I burst into tears at the perceived responsibility of it all. Or when I succumbed to a fullblown panic attack as I watched my loved one continue to hit his shins on our new coffee table -- again and again -- because he “had to learn the room.”

Like any relationship participant, I learned and grew. I became accustomed to replacing items where I had found them, especially cleaning products and butter dishes. I found myself directing his movements: “Watch out for the table.” “Shampoo’s on the left.”

I found out there was a fine line between instinctive helpfulness and smothering. “Let me guide you to the men’s room,” was an awkward eye-opener. What I love most about Jay is his independence and masculinity. Yes, it sucks to watch your blind boyfriend find a public restroom through trial and error (I don’t even want to know how he identifies an empty urinal once inside), but you’ve got to let him do it. Of course, we didn’t come to this realization and compromise until after almost a full year of talking through it. And more talking. So much talking.

The challenges of being in love with a blind man, and the subsequent need for constant verbal communication, came to a head one late spring day in San Francisco. We were feeling adventurous and (uncharacteristically for me) athletic. We decided to rent a tandem bike at Chrissy Field and bicycle across the Golden Gate Bridge. Though both of us had lived in the City by the Bay for nearly a decade, we had never done this.

We rented the tandem and helmets, signed personal injury waiver forms (ha!), and proceeded onto the Bridge. Now, let me tell you something about biking across the GG Bridge. It is not for the faint of heart. I have walked the Bridge many times. Walking is easy and fun -- cold wind in your hair, tons of tourists, a gorgeous view of the San Francisco skyline. However, bicycling across is a treacherous death journey.

The west side of the bridge, the one that faces out to the infinite-seeming Pacific Ocean, is for bicycles only. Hardcore bike commuters and far-more-in-shape-thanme riders whizzed by us.

Tandem bicycling requires the front rider to steer while both riders sync their cycle movements. To state the obvious, I was the front rider. We yelled instructions and check-ins to each other across the noisy wind, me over my shoulder and him leaning

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“I didn’t describe myself to him. I don’t know when he noticed the characteristics of my body” forward as far as he could without toppling us. I kept needing to stop and rest. I was terrified by the vehicle traffic on my right and I was mortified by the steady stream of better bicyclists passing us. We turned around halfway. I was proud that we lived.

Time passed, we lived together and loved together, and we learned to communicate and continue to learn to do so. Basically, we never stop talking. Yet there have been dark times. It’s heartbreaking to watch my partner be gawked at as he makes his way down a sidewalk. (Why is it that people’s first instinct is to clam up when they see a blind guy tap-tap-tapping his way down a street?

Here’s a tip, people: Say something. Then, he’ll know you’re there and he won’t whack your knees with his cane as he passes.) It’s

infuriating to redirect a waitress’s question, “Do you know what he wants to eat?” and intolerable when a bank teller asks me if he can sign his own name.

I have had my own misgivings, too. Ugly ones, rooted in my own self-esteem issues. I worried about what people thought of us, the look of us. Do my friends secretly think that I’m so ugly I have to be with a man who can’t see me? For years, I sat on the fence of ambivalence, not sure if I could marry someone who, if we had children together, wouldn’t be able to drive me home from the hospital after giving birth. These are my inner thoughts, though, the demons of insecurity that plague me I have come to realize that I would have these thoughts regardless. Blind boyfriend or not, I would have wondered if this relationship was right. But eventually, as time passed, I knew that he was the one, that we could do this. We were married in the late summer. We celebrated our nuptials by taking a tandembicycle ride across the Golden Gate Bridge.

We completed the entire round trip that time.

Courtesy: xojane.

36 LOVE&LIVING

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 19 april 2014

Love News

Judge reunites young family separated by overzealous social workers “Our baby fell out of bed and hit his head...so they took him away for nine months.”

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t was the type of accident that could happen to any parent – in a split second, a young baby rolls off the bed and falls to the floor.

For most, the outcome is a few tears and some cuddles, but for one couple it was the start of a terrifying ordeal.

They were accused of child abuse and their little boy was taken away from them for almost a year.

Love Song

His parents were only allowed to see him for two hours, three times a week at a council contact centre.

Last night the mother and father, finally reunited with their son, said they were treated like monsters by social workers and made to pay for previous failings in child protection.

‘In a flash we went from being proud first-time parents to being a part of this nightmare from which we could see no escape,’ said the child’s 30-year-old mother, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

FOREIGNER

“I Want To Know What Love Is” I gotta take a little time A little time to think things over I better read between the lines In case I need it when I’m older Now this mountain I must climb Feels like a world upon my shoulders I through the clouds I see love shine It keeps me warm as life grows colder In my life there’s been heartache and pain I don’t know if I can face it again Can’t stop now, I’ve traveled so far

Love Poem

To change this lonely life I wanna know what love is I want you to show me I wanna feel what love is I know you can show me I’m gonna take a little time A little time to look around me I’ve got nowhere left to hide It looks like love has finally found me In my life there’s been heartache and pain I don’t know if I can face it again I can’t stop now, I’ve traveled so far To change this lonely life

Timothy Akinleye

Fair Flower Behind the Counter It is hard to tell What draws me to this hall Banking my money Or banking on my instincts In every hall, there are many faces Behind every counter are currencies of different denominations But behind this counter A flowery tender in the wild Whose perfumery and bright colours Every attention commands The genteel loud quietness Pure innocence Perfection of beauty What a fountain from whence flows An endless stream of affection Faultless art of creation.

Romantic Jokes

Be not crossed with me I’m not ambitious I know to someone you belong Though your beauty once again In me has rekindled The fire of this ageless tradition Giving expression to my feelings In words and in verses.

Besides, all may see Few may say Many may wish Though thou art plucked!

Like a corn in a bottle But that thou cannot hide I celebrate in verses.

Send your poems with your name to ireto007@yahoo.com, call 08131161840

Devil In The Church

One Sunday morning, Satan appeared before a small town congregation. Everyone started screaming and running for the front church door, trampling each other in a frantic effort to get away.

Soon, everyone was gone, except for an elderly gentleman who sat calmly. Satan walked up to the man and said, “Don’t you know who I am?”

The man replied, “Yep, sure do.”

Satan asked, “Aren’t you going to run?”

“Nope, sure ain’t,” said the man.

Perturbed, Satan asked, “Why aren’t you afraid of me?”

The man calmly replied, “Been married to your sister for over 48 years.”

Words of Wisdom: Money is not everything

The accident happened in June last year as the baby’s father was preparing him for bed at 6.30pm.

Having laid him on their double bed, he turned away momentarily when the ninemonth-old went into a roll and fell on to the carpet. The boy’s reaction, however, was abnormal.

His cries quickly turned into something more serious, and by the time his mother had run upstairs, his eyes were rolling back into his head and he appeared to be having a fit.

An ambulance was called, but the paramedic became suspicious about the child’s injuries and by what he perceived as his mother’s lack of emotion. He made a safeguarding referral and the police were told.

‘At the hospital in Lincoln, we were told social services would be informed but that hardly registered as we knew we’d done nothing wrong and were both frantic about our baby’s condition,’ said the mother.

‘It was only when, a couple of hours later, the doctors decided to transfer him to Nottingham for surgery and we popped home to get some belongings that the implications began to dawn on us.

‘There was a policeman on our doorstep telling us our home was a crime scene and we would not be allowed in until we had given a statement.’

By the next day their baby was in an induced coma in intensive care. Tests had revealed an earlier brain haemorrhage and multiple haemorrhages behind his eyes.

The implication was that he had suffered severe shaking on more than one occasion.

‘We didn’t know what to think,’ said the father. ‘We were struggling to take in the horror of it all when a social worker came into the room where we were both in absolute pieces.

Courtesy: dailymail.co.uk

‘My boyfriend broke up with me after my sister committed suicide’

M

y parents met my boyfriend for the first time at my sister Michelle’s funeral. It was a standing-room-only affair with more than 300 people crammed into every inch of our stately Catholic church. After the painful blur of the service passed, I saw flashes of his black suit, and black hair as he dashed through the crowd handing out bright orange stickers to people to put in the window of the car for the funeral procession. He had never met Michelle.

Michelle was one of two sets of twins among my siblings. Her identical twin was spared the mental illness gene that afflicted Michelle from an early age.

I met my boyfriend at 27. I’d gone to his office to demand a review of my client’s product. I was immediately struck by his good looks as he made his way down an enormous flight of stairs to the lobby in a nicely pressed suit.

With him, I felt cool, attractive, and lucky to be with an Ivy Leagueeducated man who knew all the hot spots. I felt flattered to be pursued by someone I was so attracted to. He was like me, obsessed with sports. Football was our shared religion -- we spent hours dissecting games, coaches, Vegas lines, and traveled to see many Giants and Eagles games.

I was driving to the Hamptons on Memorial Weekend when I got a call saying there had been an accident.

My mother had found my 30-yearold sister Michelle lifeless in her bed in Maryland that morning. It was no accident. Michelle started her clunker of a car in the two-car garage, propped the door open that led to her adjacent bedroom, and, sealed the door that led to the hallway of the house with white bath towels. She took sleeping pills, lay down in the bed and never woke up.

On the nightstand, laid her old glasses on top of a three-page letter and a pile of yellow sticky notes, detailing chores

Life Experience

“He had taken time off work to be with me, yet I felt unable to stop attacking him” she hadn’t finished, like repainting the kitchen.

Michelle had been living at my parents second home for about a year after she decided she no longer wanted to be under their supervision or take the Lithium her latest doctor had prescribed. Two inches shorter than me at 5’4, and considerably thinner, Michelle had light brown hair, pale lightly freckled skin, and translucent blue eyes hidden behind coke bottle glasses until she decided she wanted turquoise colored contact lenses during one of her manic periods.

We were close in age, yet I struggled to feel emotionally close to my sister. We got along well when she was functioning, yet I felt helpless and frustrated when she was unable to communicate. As my family struggled to cope with her mood swings over the years, my father coached us to picture her in a wheelchair, as a way to comprehend her erratic behavior caused by her mental handicap.

There were touching moments we shared. Michelle surprised me when she mailed a beautiful handwritten note to say how excited she was after I started dating my boyfriend, happy

I had finally found love.

Before her suicide, I hadn’t seen her for six months. I had plans to visit her the weekend before but the forecast called for rain. I didn’t feel like driving four hours to Maryland in that weather. During the previous Christmas holiday, my parents gathered us in her room to plead with Michelle to go back into treatment. She was deteriorating, unable to keep her part-time job at a local vitamin store. She rarely left the house.

After two decades of doctor shopping, prescription switching and extensive research on bipolar disorder and schizophrenic illness cures, my parents were desperate. In an intervention of sorts, we each took turns begging her to move home. Michelle sat on her precisely made bed, her eyes the only pair dry.

After Michelle’s funeral, my boyfriend took off work for a week to stay with me in my old bedroom, my religious parents too grief-stricken to notice. At night, he held me and stroked my hair when I couldn’t breathe from weeping. When I took a three-month leave of absence from work to remain with my family in Philly, he took care of everything in Manhattan. He paid the bills and sent my mail to me with funny little notes about the latest gossip.

He’d ring me late at night when I couldn’t sleep, singing songs he made up about funny subjects. I felt grateful but was unable to snap out of my crying jags.

After a few months, I was planning to return to New York when my boyfriend called to tell me he was “sorry but he couldn’t deal with my grief anymore.” He had already moved his stuff out of our apartment. I hung up without responding, sinking into a fetal position, my hands clutched around my cell. We didn’t speak for four years.

Then, on a Sunday morning in Occ o n t i n u e s o n pa g e 3 7

LOVE&LIVING

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 19 april 2014

60-year-old mother of two beheaded by husband

Relationships & Love Advice

‘My wife does not love me’

Love Crime

R

Dear Love Doctor, My name is George. I got married to my wife because it was the wish of my mother that I marry her. But later, I discovered that the girl I married does not love me. She has no home training and only married me because she was desperate for a husband. She doesn’t know how to read and write, and she doesn’t even know how to cook. Please advise me because I am in hell. I don’t know what to do now, even though she already has two kids for me.

From George.

Love Doctor’s Advice:

Dear George, marriage is not a child’s play but a covenant or contract between two people for life. And the major requirement for marriage to take place is the consent of both parties. You say you married the girl out of your mother’s wish, but the fact remains that you were not forced to marry her.

You should have studied the girl properly before giving your consent to marry her. Right now, it is too late to complain, therefore you need to try your best to educate and train your wife and make her love you, so that she could change for the better.

You can register her in a school and she would graduc o n t i n u e D f r o m pa g e 3 6

tober, I answered my phone from a number I didn’t recognize. It was my ex. He had moved to Brooklyn, and said he wanted to apologize in person. He explained, as I sat in silence, that he understood now how much he hurt me, having just gone through a bad breakup himself. He asked if I would go watch the Eagles/ Giants game with him, as if nothing bad had transpired between us.

For a long time, I had dreamed he would call me and say he had made a mistake and that he was sorry. After a long pause and a deep breath, I told him I didn’t need him to apologize to me so he could feel better.

I slowly hung up without waiting for a response, quickly labeling his number ‘Do Not Answer Ever.’

I sat dazed on my couch. After Michelle died, I had a hard time controlling my anger. I snapped at people on the subway and in my office when they spoke too loudly, causing me to feel anxious and panicky. I had to start working from home, where I sat on my couch in pajamas all day, unable to leave my apartment. My self-esteem felt gutted. I wanted constant attention and empathy.

My neediness caused some friends to flee.

I recalled the trip my boyfriend and I had taken to the Jersey Shore with three of my siblings a few weeks after Michelle’s death. Nearly every day I picked a fight with him.

When he didn’t spend every moment glued to me and acting sym-

ally learn to read and write. She could also learn how to cook very well if you send her to a catering school. Don’t abandon her.

Try to work on the areas she needs to improve on. You need to continuously show her love so that she too can grow to love you back. That’s what marriage is all about.

Be patient, and with time, she might become the good wife you’ve always dreamed about.

I believe that if you show her love and patiently teach her what she needs to know, you can save your marriage and she would gradually grow to love you.

I wouldn’t advise you to divorce her because of your children. However, if you think both of you are totally incompatible, you may seek a separation, with a proper arrangement put in place concerning your children’s welfare.

If you want daily love tips or advice, download The Color of Love Guide on your iPad and iPhone. Search for ‘Color of Love’ on your Apple App store now and download the App. *Send your comments/stories to Love Doctor. E-mail: ireto007@yahoo. com If you’re in a crisis, call for help: 07031028714, 08131161840 or 08023700641. For free marriage/relationships counseling, call Love Doctor Mike 07031028714, 08023700641 or Chris 08023913619. Visit www.romancestory.org

pathetic, I called him selfish.

One afternoon, instead of coming back to the house with me to get ready for dinner, he wanted to stay on the beach and relax. Later that night, I accused him of not caring enough. I watched him hang his head, cover his eyes with his hands and shoulders slump. I dimly wondered why I was hurting him.

Feeling guilty I couldn’t save Michelle, I was trying to sabotage the only intimacy I’d ever known.

Through many counseling sessions, I realized my intense mourning had scared and alienated my boyfriend. He was not a bad person, just young and unable to navigate my intense mood swings, which had nothing to do with him. After his call, I kept waiting for the black hole of despair to swallow me up again. But it never came. I understood how my actions affected our relationship.

He had taken time off work to be with me, yet I felt unable to stop attacking him. I used my anger as a blockade to protect myself from further damage, instead of finding a healthy way to communicate what I needed.

Even though I couldn’t save my sister or my relationship, I don’t have to punish myself forever. Michelle lives on in my heart and in my memory, where she remains innocent, smiling, and forever 30. I forgave my boyfriend and Michelle for leaving me. I forgave myself, too.

Courtesy: xo.com

37

esidents living in a block of flats where a mother of two was beheaded have described how they heard bloodcurdling screams before police discovered her body.

Judith Nibbs – who cared for the elderly and vulnerable – was found dead after an alleged row with her estranged husband.

Detectives were greeted by horrific scenes when they arrived in the blood-spattered flat, situated near the millionpound homes of the trendy Shoreditch area of London.

They found the 60-yearold’s dismembered body, while her estranged husband Dempsey Nibbs, 67, had apparently turned the knife on himself causing serious injuries.

He is still in a critical condition after being taken to hospital. Police are waiting to question him over the death.

Afzal Zahar, 32, who lived above Mrs Nibbs, told The Sunday People: ‘My wife

heard screaming and banging from downstairs.The police came soon after.’

Mrs Nibbs, who lived on the Charles Square Estate, had worked for Hackney Borough Council for six years providing meals on wheels for the elderly, in addition to caring for her disabled daughter.

Her daughter Lauren left a heartbreaking message on Twitter which simply read: ‘Mum?’ Tributes were laid at the flat with one saying: ‘Judith, can’t believe we are not going to see you or that smiling face and your laugh again. We are all going to miss you. Love and kisses, Meals on Wheels.’

Courtesy: dailymail.co.uk

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A girl via 08187450076 is asking all men: “How would you know that the person you are relating with loves you?” *Call Mike: 07031028714 to send questions or issues.

• Connect with Mike on WhatsApp or BlackBerry Pin: 7ab29e22 or 21978F71 for details on how to send your BlackBerry request.

• Call Mike on 07031028714, 08131161840 or 08023700641 to link up and for direct hookup.

38 LOVE&LIVING Your Meal & Romance

O

f course food has something to do with sex. How about the double meanings of some common words in our language?

Notice “cheesecake”, “melons,” “nuts,” “a dish,” “honey,” “honey bunch,” “my sweet,” “Sweetie-pie,” and variations. And of course the ultimate expression of delight, “I could eat you up!”

All cultures have foods that are considered aphrodisiac. For example, saffron in Spain, bird’s nest soup in China, camel’s hump among the Arabs, cocoa for the Aztecs. It was said, for example, that Montezuma had 600 concubines, and to satisfy them he drank 50 cups of cocoa per day from a golden goblet. Over time, almost every interesting or exotic foodstuff, particularly if reminiscent of the male or female sex organs, has been used to inspire desire and stimulate performance: bananas, peaches, berries, figs, dates, asparagus, nuts, seeds, stuffed dates, sea urchins, to name a few.

LEVELS OF INFLUENCE: HOW FOOD RELATES TO SEX 1. Sensory: food can be sexually enticing or suggestive because of its texture (soft, slithery, slurpy, such as oysters), shape or appearance (think bananas, asparagus, cucumbers, pomegranates), and even the attitude with which it’s eaten (if slowly, sensually, with eye contact).

2. Romantic, sentimental: what counts here is the environment, the mood, soft lighting, pleasant music, beautiful flowers. These can arouse intimacy, relaxation, receptiveness, good memories.

3. Chemical: many foods purported to have aphrodisiac properties also contain important nutrients for the proper function of the sexual organs. Oysters, for example, are high in zinc, essential for good prostate health and testosterone production in men, as well as estrogen balance in women.

4. Social: the social beliefs, customs, and rituals of each group or society will decree certain foods to be preparatory to or suggestive of the sexual encounter; some will be considered enhancing or inhibiting sex.

In our society, caviar and champagne are classic seduction foods.

5. Energetic: different foods will affect the body’s energy flow differently, by relaxing (alcohol) or energizing (protein) as needed.

Contrast counts. If caviar and champagne doesn’t turn you on because you’re a committed vegetarian/health food person, try sparkling cider and black Greek olives. Same flavor energies: sweet/sour and dark/salty.

6. Intentional, magical: this level reflects the mental attitude and intent of the one who offers or cooks the meal; it also shows up in the agreement between the parties (spoken or unspoken) as to its purpose.

NUTRIENTS IMPORTANT TO SEXUAL FUNCTIONING As mentioned above, zinc is one of the major nutrients necessary for this function; it is found in red meat, oysters, pumpkin seeds, organ meats, and organic eggs. Refined sugar, flour and rice are zinc deficient. Deficiency causes whitening of the hair and nails, loss of hair, poor circulation, impotence, lack of ovulation or menstruation, psychotic symptoms, slow wound healing, and hyperactivity in children. Whole grains, while they contain zinc, also contain phytates, which inhibit its

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 19 april 2014

How food affects your love life absorption; soaking the grain overnight before cooking inactivates the phytates.

According to nutritionist Anne Louise Gittleman, author of Supernutrition for Men, other important nutrients include: potassium (found in all fruits and vegetables), selenium (found in organic butter, herring, tuna, whole wheat, Brazil nuts, and sesame seeds), manganese ( in nuts, seeds, and whole grains), phosphorus (abundant in whole grains, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, and brewers’ yeast), vitamin E (found in eggs, whole grains, organ meats, sweet potatoes, almonds, and leafy green vegetables), vitamin C (found in all

fruits a n d vegetables, especially citrus, cantaloupe, strawberries, broccoli, tomatoes, and parsley), vitamin A (in liver, eggs, sweet potatoes, carrots, fish liver oil), B complex vitamins (abundant in whole grains , brewer’s yeast, and liver).

The inability to reach orgasm in both men and women is linked with a lack of histamines.

Histamine production appears to be triggered by folic acid, vitamins B6 and B12. Foods rich in folic acid include organ meats, asparagus, leafy greens, peanuts, mushrooms, whole grain cereals, lean beef, egg yolk -- all of which have been considered aphrodisiac.

FOODS THAT DAMPEN DESIRE OR STRESS THE SEXUAL ORGANS Sexual energy wanes with malnutrition, lack of protein, fat or calories. Sugar, alcohol, and caffeine, especially when used to excess, can interfere with the absorption of the nutrients mentioned above and result in impaired sexual function. A high-sugar vegetarian diet , as well as an over-reliance on soy foods may both dampen desire. Certain traditions that favour celibacy stress foods known to reduce the interest in sex; in Japan, for example, tofu is considered “cooling” to the sex organs and therefore favored in monastic vegetarian diets. Unfermented soy

foods like tofu and soy milk may block zinc absorption because of their phytate content (miso and shoyu wouldn’t do that). Other “cooling” foods are cucumber, turnips, kale, and cabbage. All these foods contain antithyroid factors, not favorable for a healthy sex life, because the thyroid regulates sexual activity, desire, and fertility. When used, these foods are best used moderately and together with other, more energizing foods.

Milk products, so abundant in our society, are associated with many problems of the reproductive system. Gynecologist Christiane Northrup, MD, the founder of the clinic Women to Women in Portland, Maine, and author of Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom, found that women who had benign breast condi-

tions, chronic vaginal discharge, acne, menstrual cramps, fibroids, and endometriosis tended to consume large amounts of milk products. Dairy food consumption is also implicated in breast and ovarian cancers.

In women, thinness, anorexia, excessive exercising may lead to a lack of interest or even distaste for sex, as the body does not produce enough estrogen when too thin.

DIFFERENT REQUIREMENTS FOR MEN AND WOMEN In Chinese philosophy, opposites -- yin and yang -- attract each other. For men and women to attract each other, then, it works best when they are different rather than similar. Japanese folk precepts state that men should be given more food than women, as well as an extra dish of something strong and salty (a seaweed preparation, or fermented fish eggs) to enhance their strength. From what I’ve seen, it is not unusual for women to eat generally less and lighter than men. This is perhaps a natural expression of a natural difference.

A healthy sex life emerges naturally in a generally healthy body. Any diet that lightens, strengthens, and energizes the body will have a beneficial effect on sexuality. Therefore, a

well balanced diet that includes whole grains, beans, fish, seafood, organic eggs, green and yellow vegetables, and fresh fruit will go far in improving a person’s health and at the same time enhancing sexual function.

APHRODISIAC COOKING Any time you have invited a potential lover over for dinner, the intention of the meal must have been clear, at least to you. Raymond Oliver, in his book Gastronomy of France, has a whole chapter on the subject. He states “In the aphrodisiac meal . . . the number of dishes should be extremely limited. If possible, one should make do with a single dish and in no circumstances should one eat its fill. . . . In very favorable conditions, the effects of an aphrodisiac meal are almost instantaneous.” Here is a recipe adapted from his book. Aphrodisiac or not, it’s still quite tasty.

Cepes (or other wild mushrooms) with garlic and eggs 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons unsalted organic butter 12 cloves garlic, cleaned but not peeled 12 oz fresh wild mushrooms, wiped clean, cut into strips 1/4 teaspoon sea salt ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste ½ teaspoon dried tarragon, crushed 2 organic eggs (duck eggs, if available, are preferred) 1. Heat the oil and butter in a skilled, and add the garlic cloves. Simmer them gently, covered, for about 10-12 minutes, without allowing the butter to brown.

2. Remove the lid, turn the heat on full, and add the mushroom strips. Sprinkle with the salt, pepper, and tarragon, and cook until the mushrooms have shrunk and released their liquid, about 5-6 minutes. Remove from the heat.

3. Remove garlic cloves. Depending on the diner’s taste, either squeeze them out of their peel and add to the mushrooms, discard, or keep for another use.

4. Return skillet to heat. Break the two eggs into the pan and stir into the mixture with a wooden spoon, cooking until just set. Serve immediately with a salad of wild greens with mustard vinaigrette.

On a hot summer night, try a fruit salad with a magic spell, as adapted from Scott Cunningham’s “The Magic in Food” (Llewellyn Publications, St Paul, MN: 1992) FRUIT SALAD SPELL Make a fruit salad with mango, pine nuts, apple, peach, banana, cherry. Add a little orange juice, and, if desired, a tablespoon or two of sherry or brandy. Toss and serve within 2 hours at room temperature.

While making the salad, repeat the following thoughts: Fruit of mango, fruit of pine, Let the one I love be mine Fruit of apple, fruit of peach, Bring him (her) within my reach.

Fruit of banana, fruit of cherry, Let his (her) love for me not vary.

As I work my magic spell, Warmly in his (her) heart I dwell.

I now invoke all help from thee, my one and only, come to me.

Courtesy: foodandhealing.com

Travel&Tourism ON SATURDAY

NTWEEKEND ONLINE AT

www.newtelegraphonline.com/travel

Destination Bayelsa in spanking shape for AMAA’s swarm of stars p.42

Travel Personality IBUKUN FAKEYE: Talking golf, dreaming monuments p.40

ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA, EDITOR, TRAVEL AND TOURISM andrew.okungbowa@newtelegraphonline.com

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

19 APRIL 2014

39

HOSPITALITY

One of the conference settings

Simply posh... hotel’s lounge

A typical bedroom

Planet One: Set for the top again

Once Lagos most sought after event spot, Planet One Hospitality is keen on reclaiming that lost glory and to position itself as a top tier hotel, writes ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA

W

ith regard to facilities and service, the Maryland, Lagos-based outfit is top notch with top range. Add the luxury-oozing facade and you would understand why Planet One became a prime event place in the city.

But somehow, there appears to have been a slowdown in the pace of activities status as the city’s most sought after event place. However, Planet One Hospitality seems ready to improve on its standards, offering guests an engaging atmosphere for corporate or social events. The hospitality home has recently embarked on renovating its facilities to make it a reference point. To achieve that, the organisation has employed some experts to head the new campaign.

What is even more interesting is the fact that the new mandate is not limited to giving its renowned meetings, conferences and events facilities an upgrade; there’s an effort to retool one of its key aspects, which many people tend to forget. And that is the fact that it is also a hotel, a hangout of sort with luxurious ambience.

The new events, sales and marketing manager of the outfit, Adeyinka Oloyede, sounds quite convincing in her pitch. For her, it is a new challenge and a new beginning for the almost 10-year-old Planet One Hospitality as it embarks on a new journey, a journey to expose the best it offers, a journey to experience both ends of the market.

Taking one through the facilities end, she reveals that the hotel of this nature is rare to come

across with its upscale facilities and inviting setting. Oloyede explains that it has the largest meeting space in Ikeja with two main halls, a lounge that has capacity for over 400 people and another meeting space with capacity for over 250 persons as well as eight training rooms, with each accommodating over 50 people.

There are also different boardrooms for break-away sections and different occasions.

All put together, you would understand why the place was really the number one choice over the years. Not willing to give up all these, the focus now is to gain back its leading position in the meeting and conference sector.

“We are going after the MICE because we have been known as an event venue and that is how it has been branded, but the new challenge now is we need to reposition it, not exactly as a hotel but a combination of both – conference and hotel. We want to be a conference centre hotel.”

Besides, the new emphasis is not just promoting it as a hotel, it goes beyond that as the promotion of the wellness aspect of its services has now been factored into the rebranding concept in a bid to draw attention to the range of services and possibilities at the upscale leisure home.

To this end, its spa facilities, which is top range and perhaps the only one of its kind in the city are being renovated also and expanded to accommodate the new philosophy. Devoted to this is its specially made indoor swimming pool and gymnasium with state of the art amenities.

To drive home this point, Oloyede takes one through the nature of the rooms, which she says are special setting, all suites with living rooms that are luxurious and homily. The 56 guest rooms easily pass as mini apartments, spacious, furnished and fitted to taste with posh amenities.

Adeyinka Olode...events, sales and marketing manager

A chef at work

With the rebranding comes the focus on treating guest to the best possible experience, as she reveals that the niche and what sets Planet One Hospitality apart from the pack is the experience, which it seeks to offer to the patrons. “What we see is the experience because what they take with them is the memories, the experiences, the feelings, and that is why we make sure that we are different and how do we do that?

“It starts with the recruitment process, selection of talents, which is one of the challenges. It is about also identifying the potential that you can actually train, developing individuals, converting them to our corporate culture, that they are in the right team, fit for our values and for the vision and mission that we live for on a daily basis.”

For her, the strongest asset is not only the high end facilities but the staff. “They are the ones that are going to make us achieve our exceptional services. That is how we are going to stay ahead of competition. It is about keeping your internal guest happy because in the same way they are going to do the same thing for the external guest. And the business is sustainable, yes the business share is always shorter and shorter but I think that we have our fair share of the market at the moment and it is about our product and the quality of staff that we have.”

Henceforth, the name of the game, she informs is surprises as “we are coming out with new and more creative packages and the fact that we have a spa is helping us because we are looking at a couple of packages.

The benefit of our location is unique as we also look at packages for people who just want to be close to the airports, need easy access to major roads, inter-state expressway and banks.”

40 TRAVEL&TOURISM TRAVEL PERSONALITY

IBUKUN FAKEYE: Talking golf, dreaming monuments Ibukun Fakeye heads Ocean Beach Golf and Leisure Resort Limited, a golf and leisure facilities development outfit, responsible for the Lekki Beach Golf Resort and Badagry Marina. He tells ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA of his ambition to make Lagos and Nigeria a tourism hub

H

IS name resonates in the very high circle and the golf world where he has earned some respectability as a golf enthusiast even though he may not be one of the best golf players around (he is a 14 handicaps), but his passion and commitment to the game is what sets him apart.

But beyond that is his present preoccupation of turning the almost fallow tourism scene into a vibrant and economic goldmine for the people starting with Lagos State where his company, Ocean Beach Golf and Leisure Resort Limited, is engaged in building two mega facilities, which on completion would transform the face of tourism in the state.

The two projects are Lekki Beach Golf Resort started in 2007 and Badagry Marina started in 2010. Both are under the Lagos State government but conceived as Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects. The affable but taciturn personality who prefers his works

to speak for him, speaks of his passion.

My ambition

You see, my ambition in life is to build monuments, and I know that through these projects I will be fulfilled, the communities would be fulfilled and the visitors too would be fulfilled. It is in this fulfilment that I take joy.

I know that these projects being conceived by Governor Fashola are projects that are necessary for a megacity like Lagos.

So, they are needed projects.

The beginning

Well, I can say that as a kid when I was in nursery and primary school we had leisure time and when I left secondary school I had the opportunity to have worked with both the military and Dunlop. In the process I was selling sports equipment generally for Dunlop Nigeria and I was also the one that was looking after all Dunlop’s golf professionals that came to play in the Nigeria Open then.

With that background I thought I needed to give something back to the society and as God would have it, I have been privileged to be at the right place and at the right time in Lagos State, the most populous state in Nigeria where tourism will thrive.

Tourism in Lagos, I think should be the number one industry because of its

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 19 april 2014

beach front. We know that Lagos has over 150 kilometres of beach front in Nigeria and what else can we do but to turn it into a tourism environment.

The environment is prepared in the sense that if you look at all the Lagos beaches Oniru, Bar beach, Elegushi, Eleko, Lekki and the others - they are always filled up; but do we have the right infrastructure there? No, but with these kind of infrastructure, what this means is that we are setting the pace.

When you have the clientele you also have to match it with the right infrastructure, so it is the infrastructure that we need.

And we need to make sure it is safe at all times for it users and it is something that would generate it own income and it would even generate more income for Lagos State than any other state in Nigeria.

Moving into the world of golf

When I was with Dunlop Nigeria, there used to be the Nigeria Open, but I found out that over the years Nigeria Open died a sudden death. The reason is because we don’t have the right facilities. If you look at the sports industry today there is so much money there and in order for us to partake in this industry, we must have the right facilities, the right golf courses so that we can attract competition.

If you don’t have the right facilities you can’t attract the right tournament. Most golfers who are businessmen only travel with their brief cases and their golf bags. So when they come to a facility, for instance like ours, they will meet people that they can talk business with in a private place and in a secured environment.

Golf builds character

I found out that golf is one game that you can play and discuss business as well. You can say that golf is a game of character and that is what we say is lacking in Nigeria. If we want to build adult for tomorrow golf is a good game through which we can do that for our kids and even the adults.

But the bottomline is that golf is both a game, a business, it is leisure and it is everything put together.

It is a game of the mind

Golf is a game of the mind; it is a game of character. If you play golf, for example, and you play with anybody you can tell about the person’s character whether he is a cheat, whether he is a busy man or whether he is not a good decision maker.

So, it is a game that develops the mind because there are some companies that before you can become either the general manager or managing director you have to be a good golf player and play with members of the board because it shows your character, your decision making process and whether you are a good and calculated risk taker.

Handicaps

Fakeye...’I eat, sleep and play golf’

I have in the past played up to 14 handicaps but because I am concentrating more on building courses, I play irregularly now. I have played most of the courses in Nigeria because I have been playing since 1975. I started off from Ikeja Golf Club and I am a member of Ibadan Golf Club.

I have played in all of the good courses in Nigeria and they are all different terrains and handicaps, so you play the course as you meet it and you cannot compare them be-

cause of the structures. Golfers rate courses by the amount of difficulties that they see there. If you go to Ibom Golf Classic for example, it has its own terrain, so it is ought to you to device a means of playing it.

Every golf course is a challenge to the mind and I won’t say one is better than the other because they are all in a class of their own. If I tell you this course is better than the other then I am not right because the fact that maybe I play better on this course does not mean it is better than the other.

Rough journey

The journey has been rough but I am happy because when we started we had a lot of problem with the community but on the long run their attitude has been modified from being militant to asking questions. Because the land that the government gave to them we have been able to master planned it for them, beacon it and create an environment in such a way that in the future they would realise that they are part of a community development.

They are getting to realise that they have to educate their kids for the golf course to have come to their area because in this place we are going to need lawyers, accountants and doctors and so on. So they are beginning to realise that it is more than government bringing a project into their environment but it is also bringing progress and development.

Happy and fulfilled

I am very happy, it is rough but I am fulfilled so far. I am enjoying it and I know that we would complete it because it is not a job that can be completed in just a year.

Because the phase one is to complete the course and then we start playing it and we would continue to maintain it to be of that quality forever, so there is no hands off but it is going to be hands on forever.

No disappointment

I am not disappointed because, it is a community development. When you are building a community you are changing people from one kind of life style to a new one. That is why I am happy that we – the project developers and the community – are gradually becoming a family. It is better for us to be a family before we complete the project than to complete the project and we still have issues.

Being a golfer

Oh, it is just training. You need a professional who will teach you how to hold the club and how to drive the ball among others.

It is a matter of training but it must be from a professional. I can tell you that in five days you can be a golfer.

My best travel experiences

Most of the places I go now since I started building golf courses are to look at how people are welcomed to the club and see what kind of facilities they have. Sometimes, I even play the course and I have played in America and some Africa countries and played a lot in the UK as well.

But what we are trying to bring to our own course here is simply tournaments so that we can attract investors. So it is more or less like business travels for me now. I enjoy myself everywhere I go but most often it is a mixture of business and holiday because it is either I am going to buy some equipment or talk to an architect. I sleep, eat and play golf and anywhere I am it is same to me.

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 19 april 2014

TRAVEL&TOURISM

CHEF’S CORNER

The face behind Adna’s sizzling treats Kingsley Udoh, senior chef at Adna Hotel, speaks with ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA on the culinary offerings of the posh hotel

you savour this soup from Udoh’s kitchen then you would understand exactly why it is the first choice for many of the hotel’s visitors. Others according to him, include egusi, bitter leaf and usala soups,

all of which are prepared in enticing and appertising manner by him and his boys.

Fridays’ happy hour gigs, weekends and festive periods are dedicated to savoury local delicacies from the kitchen.

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ute and plush as well as relatively new in the hospitality scene of Lagos State, the Ikeja GRA–based Adna Hotel sure rates high when it comes to the service culture as it parades experienced and skilled hands who have been schooled in the culture and philosophy of the hotel - high premium on excellent service delivery and maximum satisfaction of guests.

Kingsley Udoh is the senior chef of the hotel, of avuncular disposition and of subdued speech, immediately hitting up with him as you settle into one of the medium size stools in his spick and span kitchen. The first thing he tells you as he fills you in on the menu packages of the hotel, is that customers’ satisfaction is not compromised here.

As a pioneer kitchen staff he knows this too well, as the first thing he says while giving a tour of the kitchen is: ‘‘satisfying and meeting the needs of our guests in all our food offerings both Africa and continental dishes is our watch word’’.

To drive home this point, he makes reference to his age and his many years in the field, noting that given his age, skill and experience, you shouldn’t expect anything less from him and the kitchen staff.

Having taken to this career in the mid1970s, ‘‘it is part of me and I love cooking,’’ he says of his passion for the vocation.

His pasttime includes music and watching movies, but none of them, he added, can either take or surpasses his devotion to the kitchen and making people happy and homily with his culinary creations.

Ala carte and buffet are the standard service at the hotel, but the formal seems to be the regular service culture while buffet can only be served when the hotel has over 30 staying guests or, perhaps, there are special events holding at the hotel.

Chef Udoh’s offers that guests may find irresistible include the traditional edikang ekong soup which, given his background, he does so well, enriching and garnishing it with a number of local ingredients. ‘‘Our customers ‘dey rush’ this soup more than any other soup.’’ Wait until

Udoh

Savour exotic Easter treat at the Nike Lake Resort, in Enugu, with offerings ranging from discounted room rates, breakfast for two, Easter Sunday family brunch, live band entertainment at Omenala Bush Bar. There will also be several gifts for children at the Kiddies Show.

The list includes nkwobi, cocktail, isiewu, peppered chicken, suya and asun, among others. The target audience are non-resident guests, so expect Chef Udoh to infuse the treat with his culinary mastery.

For continental dishes, Udoh says the menu checklist include grill chicken, mixed grill peppered steak, chicken provenceian and pasta. The list, he says, is endless and depending on the request of the guest the kitchen can always churn out anything.

However, within its short existence, the hotel has developed what he refers to as “Adna Special,” which he says goes with chicken and comprises such elements as green and red pepper, chilli in slices, fish, all mixed and stylishly garnished, while any choice of drink by the guest would just be fine.

Added to this is also what Udoh calls special chef salad, which is made from chicken, cucumber, green pepper, tomatoes and lettuce, garnished with olive with chicken spread, vinegar, oil, mustard seed and white pepper.

You can also enjoy special chef fried rice at Adna, which is another creation of the chef as popular as the other creations particularly amongst foreign guests. For the non-Nigerian guests, jollof rice and fried plantain are huge favourites, while some of the adventurous foreign guests try out pepper soups.

Udoh has been in the business long enough to know that no matter how perfect a chef thinks his presentation is, guests may still have few things to complain about. So how does he handle this sometimes unpleasant situation? ‘‘I have to appreciate the complaints by making apology and ensuring that they are taken care of and that such doesn’t occur again.” The lesson from this, he says, is the fact that it helps him pay attention to every detail and ensure that he strikes the balance when putting his ingredients together knowing that not every guest would go for the same amount of salt or chilli sauce.

BACKGROUND

Adna’s posh restaurant and bar

HOSPITALITY BITS Easter treat at Nike Lake Resort

41

Swiss International Hotels debuts in Sierra Leone SWISS Spirit Hotel and Suites has opened for business in Freetown, the capital city of Sierra Leone, it is the first in the country

by Swiss International Hotels and boast 36 rooms and suites with expansion plan in the pipeline.

The hotel is offering among others a Swiss

Café Restaurant and Lounge and a “BOX meeting and Events’ space.

Located along the corridor of the high end residential district signpost by the capital’s beaches, it would be managed by Lebanese Sierra Leoneans Jiad and Randa Swaid, under a License of Swiss Interna-

tional Hotels.

The chief executive officer of Swiss International Hotels, Henri Kennedie, said: ‘‘we are delighted to see the opening of the Swiss Spirit Hotel and Suites in Freetown, as being now our third country where we are represented in Africa.

We are looking to become

represented by hotels all over Africa in the next five years. Sierra Leone is a country that is focusing on its future. It’s building for the next generation and we are happy to be part of that. Working with the SWAID family has made our task very easy. They have proven for years to be committed to Sierra Leone and its future.’’

z z Catering was not his first love. A friend introduced him to the business of cooking and since the mid-1970s that he ventured into it, he has earned his stripes as well from it. z z He started out as a pantry hand, but his desire to be a chef made him sign up for the catering work. ‘‘I started as a pantry (hand), but I always like to be closer to the chef and observe him when cooking. That was how I got to the main kitchen.’’ z z Discovering his love for the kitchen he went on to hone his skill further and also to acquire the requisite academic qualification, bagging a diploma from a catering school in Apapa, Lagos. zz Udoh had worked with many catering outlets including Bacchus Night Club at Awolowo Road, Lagos; Lords Club at Maryland, Ikeja; Caficilious and also had brief stints at Delta and Imo States, then headed back to Lagos and finally joined Adna Hotel as one of the pioneer staff. z z He describes cooking as a good job but adds that endurance is a necessary virtue. ‘‘You must have patience to withstand all the heat and criticisms whether good or bad. You have to face the challenge,’’ declaring that he is happy and fulfilled at his job. z z The Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom–born chef is married with five children - four boys and a girl. He looks forward to more rewarding years at the job.

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TRAVEL&TOURISM

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 19 april 2014

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Bayelsa in spanking shape for AMAA’s swarm of stars

President Goodluck Jonathan and wife, Dame Patience, richly attired in Bayelsa’s traditional constume

Some Nollywood stars

Contestants during last year’s Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) beauty pageant

As Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State and traditional home of the Africa Movies Academy Awards (AMAA) since inception, prepares for this year’s event, ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA highlights the mustsee for the leisure or business visitor tourist

I

T doesn’t particularly lay claim to any notable screen king or queen or even possess a revered set that could serve as location for movies, but yet Yenagoa, capital of oil rich Bayelsa State, could easily pass off as Nigeria and Africa’s own equivalent of the MGM Grand Garden or the Dolby Theatre, Hollywood, the traditional home of the Oscars award.

But since it made its debut in 2005, AMAA has become a reference point for Nollywood and the movie world across Africa, as each year welcomes a galaxy of stars from the movie industry and other spheres of life to the city to partake of the annual feast.

Come Monday, April 28, Yenagoa would come alive with this year’s award ceremony and it is expected to attract the cream of the industry from across Africa to witness yet another celebration of those acclaimed the best in their various fields.

AMAA’s vision, according to the founder and CEO, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, is to give vent to the development of African film and cinema by highlighting its relevance and putting it on a higher plane by rewarding and recognizing the creativity and excellence of its practitioners in the various angles of the trade.

Therefore, the vision and mission of the academy is to promote African culture, encourage professionalism in the movie industry, and offer professional development and networking opportunities. In seeking to achieve this, its targets are the masses throughout the African continent, the media, movie viewers in other parts of the world and the African movie producers, actors and actresses themselves.

She intends to carry out a live telecast of the ceremony that glorifies, glamourises

and showcases the best of the continent and the destination on which the people verge to celebrate. “AMAA is conceptualized as an annual celebration of the brightest and the best in African movie. It is about class and style, glitz and razzmatazz. The first award of its kind, it is the biggest gathering of movie makers across the African continent. Today, AMAA is most prestigious and glamorous entertainment industry event of its kind in Africa,” she said.

What this means therefore, is that Bayelsa and not just Yenagoa, the host city should have since leveraged this philosophy and concept as other cities of the world do to develop and popularize its tourism and service industry and by extension the entire state.

It’s not that Bayelsa State lacks the tourism potential or attractions to hold the attention of the hundreds of visitors that will swarm the state fir three days, but there has been an apparent failure by the state government and the Bayelsa Tourism Development Agency (BSTDA) to use the occasion to drive its tourism.

The focus over the years seems to be on the ceremony alone and getting all the media mileage from it while the economy of the event is totally neglected. The result is that these stars and their visitors only get to see the state from a distance without actually experiencing the state.

This development has also led to the sorry state of most of the attractions as they are totally neglected and abandoned in their pristine state. Accessing some is also an issue. For any purpose-driven agency, an event like AMAA ought to be a money-spinner for the people of the state other than the entertainment aspect.

TRAVEL&TOURISM

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 19 april 2014

A cultural troupe on display

Jetty leading to the Ox-bow Lake

43

Bayelsa Cultural Centre

Bayelsa is a coastal region and boasts over 180 kilometres of coastline with an array of unspoilt sandy beaches and lakes, which make exploration of water related leisure a delight.

Besides, its dense mangroves and swamps, breezy natural environment, pristine scenery, historical sites, arts and craft elements present a picture of a destination to bask in.

Profile

*Created in 1996 from the old Rivers State by the administration of former head of state, late Gen Sani Abacha *Boast the largest deposit of oil and gas resources in the country *Is home to the first oil well site in the country – Olobiri where the first oil was discovered in 1955 and produced in 1958 with 5, 100 barrel production daily *The name Bayelsa was derived from the mix of Brass, Yenagoa and Sagbama, all local government areas in the state *The people are multi–cultural and ethnic groupings with the Ijaws as one of the predominant groups and have four distinct languages - Izon, Nembe, Ogbia and Epie-Atissa. *Shares boundary with Rivers State to the east and Delta State to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south with a landmass spanning 21, 110 square kilometers and almost surrounded by water with a rich vegetation characterized by the mangroves * Has eight local government councils and these are: Brass, Ekeremor, Kolokuma/ Opokuma, Nembe, Ogbia, and Sagbama.

Southern Ijaw and Yenagoa, all naturally endowed with fascinating and captivating elements to explore Here is a sample of some of the tourist attractions: Lake Efi

A natural lake located in Sabagreia area of Kolokuma/Opokuma local government council of the state, good for sport fishing and host of the Lake – Efi Fishing Festival.

An annual event by the people of the area.

Seigben Ogugu Lake

Measuring three kilometers in length and 500 metres in width, it is located in Amassoma end of the state and host among other events the Seigben Ogugu Fishing and Feasting Festival.

Lake Okao

Sitting pretty on the bank of the lower Niger River in the town of Toru Orua, the lake is one of many natural endowments, which should provide for a pleasurable exploration judging from its vast and fascinating nature.

But it’s largely still in a rustic state.

Twon-Brass, Okpoama, Olodiama, Koluama, Sangana, Odi, Kaiama and Nembe as well as Ossiama Lake in Sagbama, the Amasinghan Love Boat of Aleibiri in Ekeremor, Agricultural Palm Beach and Agge Palm Beach at Ekeremor possess beautiful beaches with exotic sceneries.

Peace Anyiam-Osigwe...AMAA founder

Arts and craft

The state boast rich art and craft tradition, they are fascinating view and could be explored in various segments of the state however, some of them could be viewed from the pockets of museums warehousing them across the state.

These include Olodi Museum and Mangrove Museum in Nembe, the colonial grave in Twon Brass, slaves transit camp in Akassa, Manila and Bronze heads in Opume in Ogbia Local Government Area.

Akassa Light House

It is an historic edifice located in the famed Akassa area of Brass local government area. Built originally in 1910 and relocated to its present location where it stands at 60 metres tall, it is regarded as one of the tallest light house on the west coast.

It was designed to aid the navigation of ships coming into the inland sea ports with the lighting system facilitated by solar energy.

Akassa Slave Transit Camp and Tunnel Located in Ogbokiri, Brass, near Akassa, is part of the historical heritage of the people and it is where slaves were camped before they were shipped out of the country. Built of iron and brick, the spot is a sad symbolism of the obnoxious slave era.

Akassa Wildlife Forest

Good spot for some adventurous spirit to explore the best of nature unhindered; go on a dream safari and enjoy bird watch in this wildlife sanctuary.

Oloibiri oil well museum

It is the symbol of Nigeria’s oil wealth as the well site was the first oil well discovered

by Nigeria in 1955 and has since remained a reference point and an attraction to many visitors to the state. A museum project is in the offing at the site with the Petroleum Development Trust Fund (PDTF) undertaking to finance the project.

The oil well is 12,008 feet deep.

Ox-Bow Lake

Is one of the enchanting natural creations in Yenagoa, which gives it an appealing character. It is yet to be developed into a real leisure area however, boat cruise, sport fishing, leisure walk, exploration of the peaceful

Gov Seriake Dickson

water front and delighted barbeque grills and delicacies such as nkwobi, isiewu and pepper soup with assorted meat are some of the possibilities here. A five star hotel, art gallery, theatre and cinemas as well as a polo club project are some of the targeted projects in the pipeline as part of the plans by the state government to make the lake come alive.

Mungo Park Residence

It’s an ode to the colonial era, a building made of wood and brick was the divisional headquarters of the colonial rulers of Brass division. It has since been renovated and preserved as a colonial heritage.

Peace Park

Directly opposite the magnificent government house, it is one of the rare spots at the capital city, where you can have some quiet from the maddening crowd, relax and enjoy boat ride and water hiking, hydro bike and others.

Isaac Boro Memorial

Situated in Kaiama, it is another symbolism of the people’s fight for justice over the exploitation of their environment. Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro, a legendary and historical figure was one of the leading light of that era and the memorial is in his honour and a throw back to that period.

Music and dance

Just like any other Nigerian state and community, Bayelsa has a legion of colourful, enchanting and entertaining festivals with dance and music as integer part of their elements. The endless list of some of the celebrated cultural festivities include the following: Ekene–gene, from the Epia speaking region of the state, Ekene–gene, which means big is indeed a massive display of some sort and a spectacular show piece to see; The Fisherman’s dance feast, is from the Izon speaking part of the state and demonstrates the virtues of the fishing profession, which is the major past time of the people; Beni–ere, is also another dramatised Ijaw traditional dance; One of the maiden dances is Yelasei, which is also from the Izon people and has a rich display of spectacles by the female folks; and Wind and trees festival is an enthralling dance

Mrs. Ebizi Ndiomu-Brown, DG BSTDA

feast where creativity and dexterity come to the fore. … Next tourism destination in Nigeria

The dream of the director-general of the Bayelsa State Tourism Development Agency (BSTDA), Mrs. Ebizi Ndiomu–Brown is to make the state one of the leading tourist states in the country. She speaks of her vision: ‘‘One of the visions I had was to ensure the state becomes better known tourism wise. To become a place that people will not mind visiting either for holiday or in search of somewhere new to go. What you hear people say is, ‘it is a one-street state.’”

But how has she gone in her drive? ‘‘I should say we are growing. We have discovered that we have a lot to show the world; a lot to see as per tourism.” But she concedes it would take a long walk to get there. ‘‘We have a lot of work to do to get to where we want to be.’’

One of the ways of exposing the state to the world, she says, is by hosting events, which is becoming a major pre-occupation of the state government. ‘‘There are plans to actually hold events in Bayelsa. Government has realised that one of the ways to attract people to the state is to host events and when such happens, people visit some of our tourist sites. And because of the beauty of the sites, they will surely come and come again. We have chosen to host a lot of music and film awards and jazz festival. We will also host a lot of cultural festivals.”

On how perceptions such as the notion that Bayelsa is a one-city state could be change, she says: ‘‘But that is not so anymore as some of the events we have held have attracted people to the state and have helped to change that perception. Now, what you hear people say after visiting is: ‘this is not what I thought. This is not the story I heard before coming’. And it is amazing that one still hears comments like that about a state that has existed for over 13 years. What I hear from people now is ‘I heard you held so and so event, please when next you are holding such I will like to attend’. We hear a whole lot of that now.

So, I want to think that is one milestone that we have achieved.’’

44 Ntweekend

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 19 april 2014

CONFLUENCE

... a finger on the city’s pulse

LANRE ODUKOYA - 08059296445

Trying times Joseph Yobo, Adaeze for Bolaji Esho celebrates son Joey’s fourth birthday

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agos socialite, Bolaji Esho, has been having a stormy time lately. A few weeks back, his wife was reported to have fled their matrimonial home with their son to the United States. Another tale soon emerged claiming he has been arrested and detained over an alleged N48m scam. Reports say the owner of Eldorado Bar was picked up in the evening of Thursday, April 10, at his Yaba, Lagos, based bar. Esho’s arrest was occasioned by a petition written to State Investigations Bureau, by a Nigerian businessman based in Malaysia, Samson Ajani. In his petition, Ajani claimed he gave Esho the sum of N48 million to assist him build a farm in Epe, also in Lagos, since 2012. Not much has been done on the farm, barring a small fence, he said, adding that all efforts to get Esho to complete the project or even return his millions has been unsuccessful. A police officer who confirmed Esho’s arrest on condition of anonymity said they took Esho and Ajani to the farm site at Epe on Friday, April 11 for inspection and realized that nothing had been erected on the land.

N

igeria’s national team defender, Joseph Yobo and his wife, ex-Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria Adaeze Amos, celebrated their son, Joey‘s fourth birthday with a fun Spiderman theme. At

the fun party, Joey was dressed in a costume of his favouri ate superhero, while his father rocked Givenchy and his mom, a print shift dress last Wednesday in the United Kingdom.

For the Towry-Cokers, it’s a cold war

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he lovey-dovey days between former Lagos State Commissioner for Housing, Lanre Towry-Coker, and his wife, Bisi, seem to be hanging precariously. The union which endured for 30 years produced three children.

The couple’s first daughter, who got married in London in 2007 is said to have been the worst hit by the separation, having made several failed attempts to mend the cracks in her parents’ marriage along with her brothers. Before the disagreement came to a head, Lanre and Bisi had bickered over the ownership of their home on Ilabere Close, Ikoyi. Bisi insisted she was taking over the property because she owned the land on which it was erected, while Towry-Coker, an architect, said he financed its building. Eventually, Bisi the daughter of industrialist and lawyer, Chief Chris Ogunbanjo, was allowed to keep the property.

Deinde Fernandez and his Kano eye-popping boulevard

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mbassador Antonio Deinde Fernandez, the Lagos born billionaire is still unarguably one of Nigeria’s richest tycoons in the Diaspora. His pleasure yacht is generally moored 1 Word Search on the French Riviera while globetrotting in one of his fleet of suVarious fruits which you could eat to healthy perstay jets. Lately though, Fernandez has become quite fixated on living and in great form. in Nigeria. And unknown to most people, he has a home in the city Key Words: of Kano which those who have glimpsed describe as a fortress.

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Talking Point To solve a problem, you must first intellectualise it –Sam Otoboezep.52 Faceoff Cross River govt subverts the rule of law - Bishop Ibeabuchi p.48

POLITICS ON SATURDAY

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

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19 APRIL 2014

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Religion should not determine Fashola’s successor –Ikuforiji Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, in this interview with ADEKUNLE SALAMI and WAHEED BAKARE bares his mind on governance in the state, his plan for 2015 and the clamour for a Christian to succeed Governor Babatunde Fashola.

What is the relationship between the executive and the legislature in Lagos State now?

The relationship has always been very cordial. The honest truth is that the consti-

tution makes it in a way that the independence of the three arms is not an absolute independence. It’s independence within an interdependent atmosphere. So, there is no way the executive can function properly without the legislature. Also the legislature cannot be an island; it needs the executive and both of them need the judiciary, and the judiciary needs these two arms as well.

But to God be the glory, in Lagos, we have been able to manage the relationship between these three different arms in a way that one is not made to be an underdog to the other. It’s a relationship that is based on mutual respect and love for one another; one that is based on the common interest of Lagosians.

But people get the feelings that members of the Lagos State House of Assembly are like ‘yes’ men to the executive.

What is your take on this?

I am not here to really blow the trumpet of my House, and I am not also ready to play down the relative importance and the good nature of any other legislative houses, but I think across the country, and even to foreign observers, the Lagos House of Assembly has always been regarded as the number one House to beat in the country.

We have been relatively independent and we have also worked within the limit of the constitutional independence granted each arm. We have worked very well cooperatively with the other arms of govern-

ment, and I beat my chest to say that the Lagos House of Assembly is not a rubber stamp to the executive.

How would you rate the performance of the current governor?

It’s not a very fair question because it’s like asking me to assess myself. We run a government. This is not a place where we have two different governments. Whatever be the achievements of Governor Babatunde Fashola, the kudos goes also to the House. The House also cannot absolve itself of his short comings. So let’s leave those who are watching us from outside to assess our government. But we have heard CONTINUED ON PAGE 46

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THE SATURDAY INTERVIEW

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 19 april 2014

‘Aregbesola and Fayemi C O N T I N U E D f r o m PA G E 4 5

you may be shocked that the man being referred to as an underdog is even a preferred person to the loudmouth. And there are a lot of things going on these days. Some people can go to any extent to paint whoever they consider as their opponent black. They can turn white into black overnight, and when people discover the truth what do you think will happen?

Except we have specific cases that we really look into deep enough to be able to arrive at informed conclusions, it may not be proper to just generalise and then take it for granted. I mean every man; every politician who stands for an election has the mind that he can win the election. So, if he doesn’t have certain reasons or people to spur him on, he wouldn’t believe that he would win.

It’s just normal.

from within and outside the state that the Lagos government has been a shining example to others. That’s not my personal assessment but I have heard it, and anyone who wants to judge us is free to judge. But I should not be a judge of my own performance.

But you will agree that there is always room for improvement. So, if you were the governor, is there anything you would have done differently?

That’s another tricky one, but let me be honest with you. Lagos may be on the path to the height of our dream, but we’re still far-off; we still have a long way to go. It takes a long time to build a nation.

In fact, it took a long time to build Rome and any realist should not expect that the Lagos of his dream can be built in a day.

But for now, the foundation has been laid. The last 15 years have really placed Lagos on the path of accelerated development.

I think the next few years should see Lagos fly! Not crawl, not walk, not even run, but fly to the destination of our dream.

Ekiti and Osun will hold elections later in the year, and the PDP is determined to take over the SouthWest. How prepared is the APC to ensure you retain these states?

Coming to the recently held Congress of the APC, there were complaints that some aspirants were imposed on the electorate in the name of consensus. What is your take on this, and why is this always a problem in the APC?

I disagree with you that it is always a problem in the APC. Politicians anywhere and everywhere, always have their styles.

Politicians will always have reasons to complain. Look, the Peoples Democratic Party just held its governorship primaries in Osun and what happened there? Politicians are politicians. There will always be reasons for politicians to complain. I think the directive of the party, as far as the congress is concerned, was very clear. It’s Option A4. If there are many contestants for a particular position then let there be queues for the voters to be counted. But if you agree among yourselves that there are consensus candidates, then why do we need to waste energy and resources to run this and that. And again, you said the APC is always having this issue. APC is a new party and, let’s face it, the size of the party today – thank God it’s not a noise-making party like some who claim to be the biggest party in Africa – makes it the second

Ondo State?

biggest party in the world following the registration exercise that was recently carried out. The number of people that turned out to be registered was unbelievable.

Is the registration enough for you to claim APC is now the second largest party in the world?

Yes, because I don’t know of any other political party anywhere that has such a number except the Chinese People’s Party.

If I should take you up on that, how come your party now took third spot in the recently concluded by-election in

If you say you want a Muslim today, Christian tomorrow, what happens the day after?

Is it the size of the party that determines the number of electorate? Again, is the situation in Ondo not a very clear one to all of us? I don’t want to dabble in the affairs of any other state but we know what is going on in Ondo, and I don’t think that is a good example to make use of when discussing national issues at all.

The norm in politics is for the popular candidates to win elections but that doesn’t appear to be the case most times in Nigeria. Why is it so?

Some of these things come to us appearing to be one way when really, when you go deep and analyse, they might be something else entirely. Sometimes when you look at a man; if he is a noisemaker, there is the tendency for people to believe that he is a relatively popular person. Yes, he may be popular for the wrong things, but when it comes to the people’s choice

If there is anything at all to get worried about I think that thing is neither Osun nor Ekiti, except we are not conducting a real election. The two governors have performed miracles in those two states; things that people never thought possible. I don’t know if you have been to those two states but many Ekiti indigenes don’t know the way to their homes within this short period that Kayode Fayemi got there. He has turned Ado-Ekiti inside out.

You can’t believe that this is the same place that you visited just a short while ago. He has done that virtually everywhere. What about taking care of the elderly? What about his other programmes in the area of education? Ekiti has reclaimed its rightful place as number one in education. That shows that the man is working and really turning the state around. In Osun, don’t even discuss that because if there is anything called miracle, it is Rauf Aregbesola and his performance in Osun. And the people are not deaf, dumb and blind. Without campaigning so rigorously, I expect those two governors to win by landslide margins.

Much as the PDP has tried to takeover Lagos they have been unable to. What has been the magic behind this?

I don’t think there is any magic about it.

It is the performance of our government in Lagos from the days of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It’s just that as a people we forget too soon. We hardly look back to see what happened yesterday, and then look at today and use it to project into our tomorrow. When Asiwaju got into Lagos in 1999,

THE SATURDAY INTERVIEW

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 19 april 2014

will win by landslide’ heaps of refuse would not allow you to drive freely on our roads. The conditions of our schools were terrible. There was no healthcare delivery and the state of our courts was terrible. There is no man who sees himself as having benefitted in one form or another from a government and would want that government to change. We have done better than any other state in the federation.

From 1999 to date, Lagos has set the pace and that is why Lagosians have fallen in love with their government and the party in the state. Besides, the party is a listening one.

We encourage every group to be part of the government, and that means a lot.

It’s been reported in the media that the APC is planning a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

How viable is this considering the heterogeneous nature of the country?

I don’t even want to discuss the issue because I don’t know why we have allowed the issue of religion to become such a major thing in our daily lives. The honest truth is that I come from the part of the country where religion plays only its rightful role – it is not politics. Politics is politics, religion is religion. I am a Muslim but my wife is a pastor of a Pentecostal church. Some of these things are dirty and I don’t want to be a part of it for it doesn’t sound reasonable. But, of course, politics should also be allowed to have its place. I think, so far, the party has not announced its candidate. So, I don’t know where this rumour is coming from.

Is it possible that with the size of the party, and the popularity of some members, you will be settling for a consensus candidate ahead of the presidential election?

(Laughter) I think you should meet Baba (Bisi) Akande to give you answers to that.

But you’re also a leader in the party?

I am, but I am a leader within my own sphere. I mean there are even bigger shots in the party. If I have a

The last 15 years have really placed Lagos on the path of accelerated development national chairman, national leaders and national executive members, who am I to start doling out the decisions of the party.

I think leaders of the party will address these issues at the right time but I can assure you that ours is a highly responsive party. We cannot do anything without measuring the mood of the nation. The people are the ones that we are determined to serve. In the 1993 general elections, the National Republican Convention had a Muslim-Christian ticket, while the Social Democratic Party had a Muslim-Muslim ticket. But Nigerians were not interested in religions. They were more interested in the personalities involved, and everyone who knew Bashorun MKO Abiola knew that, yes, he was a Muslim, but would you found in him a man who loved Christians.

So, with that type of a man, people were not bothered about religions. But that is not to say that religion should be thrown aside.

The mood of the nation is very important.

Some people may want to argue that there is no way you can divulge religion from politics; that even if you go to churches and mosques there is still a little bit of politics being played there. Now, there is this group in Lagos clamouring for a Christian governor in the state. What is your take on this?

Let’s be very honest with ourselves.

This is Lagos, and I don’t think there has ever been a time when Lagosians took religion as a major yardstick for determining who they would vote for. They want someone who would serve them;

somebody who knows their problems and is ready to take care of their problems. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, when he was governor, was a Muslim but his wife is a pastor of the Redeemed Church.

The current governor is a Muslim, but his wife is a Dame of the Catholic Church. So, if somebody comes up with an argument of Christian or no Christian, or Muslim or no Muslim, where do you place Fashola’s family? What type of family is it; a Muslim family or a Christian family? Where do you place Asiwaju’s family; a Muslim family or a Christian family? What of my family? I am a Muslim but, I told you earlier that my wife is a pastor. So, what are you going to talk about? You will now say a Christian who is coming in will first convert the wife to Islam to balance it up or look for a Muslim lady to marry? It is only people who don’t have the qualities expected of leaders that bring up such stories. We want to live happily. We want people who will be committed to the service of our people. If you say you want a Muslim today, then Christian tomorrow, what happens the day after; will you go for an animist? Or do you think in Lagos there are only Muslims and Christians? We should not invite trouble for ourselves. God loves Lagos and Lagosians and we have always been very happy to be together; celebrating together; enjoying life together. Whatever you have in some other parts of the world that sets them ablaze, don’t bring it here. It cannot work.

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the House will be three years and we will have a year left. I think any rational being; anyone who knows the working of our present democratic system will agree with me that the toughest seat in this system is the speaker’s seat. It is hotter than any other seat you can think about and when you are on that seat you must have all your senses at work round the clock. If I am 14 or 15 months away from the final whistle, I don’t think I should preoccupy myself too much with what happens after that whistle. That is not to say I don’t have ambitions like every other human being.

I am 55 and come from a very humble background. No one would have given me the chance to be where I am today. I am very proud of what God has done for me and I am grateful to my Creator. He’s my redeemer and I know He liveth. So, I really don’t have any trouble with what comes tomorrow because I know my tomorrow is already taken care of.

Look, the man you’re talking to is probably the only human being in the 100 years history of Nigeria that has been so blessed by the Creator to lead an assembly as big as the Lagos House of Assembly for as long as I have led it without rancour despite all the problems this Assembly has witnessed. I know the punches come from left, right and centre but my redeemer liveth.

So, tomorrow will come, but God already has His plans for my tomorrow.

When it is time He will tell me how to go about working for tomorrow. But for today, I say praise be to God.

What’s your political plan for 2015?

God is able. Before he created me He knew me. He has a plan for my future. I do know very well that the Creator is the king of kings and is the one who crowns humans; who makes them kings. I am on a football pitch. I am just getting to the half time of the second half of the tenure.

By June 3rd,

So, when the time comes; you will announce your ambition for 2015?

Let me be in my final year as the leader of this highly respected House. After June 3rd, let’s meet again.

FaceOff

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

19 APRIL 2014

Cross River govt subverts the rule of law –Olumba’s spokesman Brotherhood of the Cross Star and Star and the Cross River State government are at loggerheads over land dispute. The church’s spokesman, Bishop Princely Ibeabuchi, tells CLEMENT JAMES that the government has taken steps that can lead to breach of peace.

Your church is in conflict with the Cross River State government over a piece of land. Tell us what happened?

The Brotherhood of the Cross and Star (BCS) bought a piece of land in the name of leader Olumba Olumba Obu situated along old Ikang Road Layout, Calabar in 1995. The property was purchased from the Managing Director of Uwa Printers (Nig.) Ltd., one Mr. Sunday Udoh. He issued receipt for the purchase to Brotherhood of the Cross and Star and we also paid t h e lawyers’ fee for the Deed of

Assignment. The Brotherhood of the Cross and Star regularised and registered the property as No 55 at page 55 in volume 31 in the Registrar of Deeds in the state Lands Registry, Calabar. Having completed this legal requirement, we (BCS) erected a building on the said land and fenced it round with sand crete block walls with three entrance gates. Zenith Bank Plc which claimed that the property was leased to her by Mrs. Helen Johnson Udoh (Olumba’s first daughter) caused BCS lawyer to write to the Lands Registry requesting the registry not to register the interest of the bank. When the bank made attempts to register the property, she was confronted with Caveat Emptor which compelled her to seek direct negotiation with the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star but was rebuffed. As a last resort, the bank had the intervention of the former Governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke. At a meeting held on the instance of the governor, he requested the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star to allow Zenith Bank Plc to take over the property, positing that the bank would boost economic activities in the state. For the fact that the BCS bought the land for a defined purpose, we promptly rejected the governor’s request on the ground that we intend to build a shopping mall on the land.

After BCS rejected the governor’s request, what happened?

Ibeabuchi

The then Cross River State government illegally revoked the right of Brotherhood of the Cross and Star and leader Obu to the property. This revocation order was published in the Nigerian Chronicle newspapers edition of Thursday, January, 24-28, 2002 without serving such notice to us (BCS) as the real owners of the property. For the fact that the said writ had a lot of technical errors, in 2004, the state government published a second revocation order on the same in The Punch newspaper without our knowledge, the rightful owners. You will agree with me that under the law, the government orders ought to be properly and personally served on the Brotherhood and Obu being the owners of the said property. The government reneged on their responsibility as we read the said revocation order on the pages of newspapers.

The 1999 Constitution as amended permits citizens the right to own and acquire property Did you take any legal steps to annul the government order?

In 2002 after the Chronicle publication, Queen Mother Ibum Olumba Obu (Olumba’s first daughter mentioned earlier as Helen Udoh) and a company known as All States Estate Investment Ltd., went to court and filed an action, Suit No: HC/66/2002 against the state government. They also joined the state Attorney General in the suit challenging the revocation on the ground that proper procedures were not observed by the state government. This action of hers was not known by our leader and the church’s Board of Trustees.

On the instruction of His Holiness Olumba Olumba Obu, we (Brotherhood) brought an application asking the court for three things; (i) strike out our name from the suit (ii) delete all references touching our name and description in the court action and (iii) join us as codefendants with the government. Both the Queen Mother and the state government resisted our application. Consequently, the first two prayers were granted but the third prayer to join us as co-defendants was rejected on the ground that the Queen Mother lacks the locus standi or Power of Attorney. The action

by Queen Mother was finally determined on February 21, 2014, after 12 years. The court struck out the action of the Queen Mother and the company. The ground was that as claimants, they are not competent. In other words, they did not have authority to file any action as long as the property in question is concerned.

You will recall that in 2007, her case against us was struck out for the same reason that she is not conferred with the Power of Attorney for court action. The ruling on February 21, 2014 closes the chapter of action filed by the Queen Mother.

With the court ruling, one would have thought that BCS had lost the case.

No. Queen Mother had no authority and she lost the case not Brotherhood.

On March 1, 2014, which was on a Friday, the real owners (Registered Trustees) of the church commenced action to reclaim its property and the following steps were taken. We filed an action against the state government. In addition, we obtained an interlocutory injunction restraining the state government, her servants and agents not to trespass on the land. The injunction was duly served on March 21, 2014. To be doubly sure, we addressed a letter to the state

Attorney-General and attached all relevant documents to the case on March 21, 2014.

We also copied the Commissioner of Lands and Survey and obtained acknowledgment on the same day.

When did the government move in to take over the property?

On March 22, 2014, government mobilised her agents and commenced demolition of our property with bulldozers operated

by Chinese men under the supervision of heavily armed policemen numbering about 15. This shows complete disrespect for the right of citizens to acquire and own personal properties as provided by laws. We view the government’s action as absolute disdain for our law courts which is the best forum instituted for governments to resolve conflicts with the people. No civilised system in the 21st century encourages self-help as the state government has demonstrated to the extent to subvert the rule of law which will likely lead to breach of peace.

What is the next action BCS is considering now?

As law abiding citizens and institution, we have instructed our lawyers to take legal steps to resist this flagrant rape of our fundamental human rights and explore ways and means to restore our rights and to ensure that the injustice we had suffered is adequately redressed. I repeat, the government has never served us any notice of revocation nor did it express verbally or in writing the reason(s) and purpose of acquiring our land whether it for public park or school or even a factory to employ part of the large army of the unemployed youths in the state, a direction that the BCS has focused its attention, energy and resources on in the last 50 years (five decades now) to complement the efforts of government during the period.

How much in monetary terms did the church lose?

We were not given the opportunity to assess the degree of investment and losses for the purpose of adequate compensation. It is important to remind the government that the 1999 Constitution as amended permits citizens the right to own and acquire property. Such right provides immunity from government compulsory acquisition of such land at will without following laid down procedures in the Land Use Acts.

Assuming the government is recalcitrant, will you resort to self-help?

That is why we have taken these painstaking steps to inform both the government and the general public that our state government is fast becoming totalitarian.

FACEOFF | POLITICS

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 19 april 2014

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We are not afraid of Olumba Olumba –Cross River govt Pastor Eyo Okpo-Ene is the Special Adviser to the Cross River State Governor on Religious matters. In this interview with CLEMENT JAMES, he says government took over the church’s land in public interest.

The State government and Brotherhood of the Cross and Star are at loggerheads over a piece of land. What is the genesis of the problem?

I want to put this matter on record within the perspective of the state government.

The land in question located along Calabar Road, adjacent the stadium, has been in a desolate state for many years. The administration of Mr. Donald Duke revoked the land in 2002 because government wanted to use the place for the good of the people.

Brotherhood of the Cross and Star went to court to restrain the government from taking over the land. The case lingered for a long time until this year when the court decided the matter in favour of the state government. So, we only inherited the matter, we did not institute it in the court. We inherited the issue from the previous administration because government is continuous. So, when we won the case, we took over the land because government needed to develop the land for the public good. What the Brotherhood neglected to do, maybe they were not advised accordingly, was that they should have filed a stay of execution. But they just went straight and filed an appeal. But since the ruling was in our favour, we just went ahead and took over the land.

BCS said the land was sold to her by one Sunday Udoh. Could you trace the history of that land?

Honestly, I don’t want to comment on who owned the land before Brotherhood took over. I don’t want to talk about the history of the land because at that time, they may have had their internal problem and I don’t want to go beyond there. I just want to comment on the matter which is in the public domain. All I know is that they took the government to court and lost.

Why didn’t the present government look into the historical aspect of the land while the case was in court?

That’s not the point. What government did was in the overriding public interest no matter who owned the land. My land was once revoked by one of the military administrators in the 90s. He did not care how I got the land. Brotherhood itself should have done something about the land because the land is right in the heart of the city. It is in the central business area of the state capital and to allow it that way without developing it was not in the best interest of the public. So, since they did not develop it for a long time, government needed to use it, so it was revoked. When my land was revoked in the 90s and the revocation published in the papers, I did

not complain. I left it.

In your own case, it was during the military era. Now, does a democratic government have the right to take over a person’s land like that?

The Land Use Act gives the state government the power to acquire land anywhere as well as revoke any land if it is in the public interest. As I am talking to you, government is acquiring land and developing them for the people. It does not matter whether it is in the military era or not, when government needs any land for the public good, the Land Use Act gives her the right to acquire land anywhere, especially if the land has not been used for a long time. And I don’t think government will just go to a place and take over a land without recourse to the law.

But BCS said there was a shopping mall on the land.

No, no, no. There was nothing except a small, dysfunctional house there. If you go back to history, there was a time that the land was “sold” to Zenith Bank Plc and there was nothing other than pieces of blocks and so on. The place was desolate.

It was actually Zenith Bank that tried to do something there but I think there was a problem and it abandoned the place. Since then, the place remained desolate.

What does government intends to use the land for?

It can be used for anything. You know that there is always a gridlock around that area because of congestion and because of the centralised nature of the place. Government may decide to use it as a parking lot or anything it considers best for the people.

governor. But the point to make here is that we are negotiating and so far, we are making a head way. We are looking into their complaints and hopefully when they return, we would be through with the remaining issues.

Can you disclose those offers you made and which you think they are happy about?

I cannot go into specifics but you know in situations like this, you could offer them an alternative land, you could compensate them or you could just sympathise with them. But I can assure you that one or two of the above have been offered and they are happy with it. So, we are waiting for them.

Talking about compensation, BCS said it was not even given the opportunity to estimate its investment on the land.

We still have a meeting to hold and I think such an issue will come up later, if it’s necessary. I repeat, if it’s necessary. We are still trying to work on issues and I hope those grey areas will be attended to as they are presented. But let me assure the public that this government, led by Senator Liyel Imoke will stop and listen to any complaints as long as such a complaint is genuine.

Was it necessary to hurry for the land only to think of negotiation later?

I must say that after the court order, there was nothing legally that served as an impediment to government. Nothing hindered the government from taking over

So far, have you extended an olive branch to the church?

Yes. Last week, we had a meeting in the office of the state Attorney-General and the church sent a high-powered delegation to the meeting. It was headed by their security chief, Brig. Gen. Essien and it included the Personal Assistant to the church leader, Bishop Uche Raymond. At the meeting, we made some offers and I think they were happy with the offers. The only thing was that they wanted to discuss with His Holiness before we can put pen on paper. On our part, we also have to discuss with the

Nothing hindered the government from taking over the land Okpo-Ene

the land and they did not even come to us.

We only heard the rumour that Brotherhood was complaining about the land. The present administration is not lawless, so we were not legally stopped. That was why we took over the land. And let me say this because we have heard that we went to beg Brotherhood. I am in the system and I know that nothing of such has happened. We are a government and we cannot be afraid of anybody, including spiritual powers. We cannot be cowed by anybody so long as what we do is in the interest of the generality of the people. Again, we have heard that about 1.8 million members of the church are planning to take on the government. I must put it on record that the population of Cross River State is far less than that. Again, people say we are afraid of Olumba Olumba. That is far from the truth.

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 19 april 2014

Adams. (Inset: Goodness)

Day Abuja saw red in the hands of terrorists The April 19 bomb blast in Abuja has been described as the deadliest among the series of bomb explosions in the Federal Capital City. In this report, WAHEED BAKARE chronicles the incident that left at least 100 people dead and many more injured. Additional report by LANRE ODUKOYA

N

yanya Motor Park located at a satellite settlement bordering the FCT and Nasarawa State is a popular mass transit park.

The popularity stems from the number of civil servants and private sector workers who converge on the park every morning to board Abuja Mass Transit vehicles, known as El Rufai buses. In a place where cost of living is high, the mass transit vehicles come as a relief because they are cheap.

The park serves the transit needs of residents in Nyanya, Karu, Jikwoyi, Kurudu, Mararaba and other adjoining suburbs.

This explains why the park is always a beehive of activities especially during the rush hour.

So, there was nothing unusual at the park on Monday, April 14 around 6am. It was crowded as usual. Some of the mass transit buses were fully loaded with passengers. More commuters were coming in. Vehicles were driving in and out of the park. Drivers and their conductors were wooing passengers. Traders had displayed their wares. Food vendors were there serving food to willing customers.

In a twinkling of an eye, these usual activities pave the way for something sinister. A car suspected to be an Opel Vectra with registration number XQ 229 LSD and engine number 26A5943032621 drove into the park with four occupants. This was around 6:45am. The car parked in front of three 54-seater high capacity buses loaded with passengers. Dozens of

commuters were in the queue waiting to board the fourth bus when a bomb exploded and fire engulfed the area.

There were smaller buses and taxes loaded in the park, and about to leave for various destinations outside the FTC at the time of the blast, according to an eyewitness.

“We saw a red car drive in, and few minutes after the occupants parked and left it unchallenged, then the explosion happened,” another witness said.

Another resident, who was close to the park, when the bomb exploded, said, “I had to run back, but what I can say is that hundreds would have died, since the park is always crowded.”

The bomb described by a security source as a “high caliber bomb” left scores of corpses with many of them burnt beyond recognition.

The blast, which left no fewer than 100 dead and over 200 injured, also resulted in accidents along Abuja-Keffi Road, as vehicles collided.

Eyewitnesses’ accounts

“The impact of the explosion was much to the extent that vehicles rammed into one

His (bomber) belief was that the vehicle was strong enough to force the church’s gate open

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 19 april 2014

another. Everybody was confused and we did not know in which direction to go,” one of the drivers said.

An eyewitness, Anitie Iyoho, who was in one of the buses hit by the bomb recalled: “There was not even a sign that anything pierced through my skin from the jean trousers I was wearing. I only got a little cut on my knee.”

He later shared what was to be his saving grace in the blast which claimed many lives and got scores of survivors bedridden at different hospitals, “Every Monday morning, I go through that route to the office because we have editorial meetings at 8am. Most times I leave the house at 6am on the dot. Nyanya park in Abuja is like the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, there’s always heavy traffic from Nyanya to town every Monday morning. I don’t know what happened; I overslept and woke up at 6am on the dot that day.

“I hurried out at 6:30am and it took me just about 10 minutes to get to Nyanya Park and as usual it was a long queue with a crowd.

As soon as I got there, they cut off the queue and announced that the first two buses were already filled up. I was the second person to board the third bus.

“I sat by the window of the second seat on the left, brought out my laptop and a book and started reading. But when I left home, I forgot to sprinkle the anointing oil given us on my head.

Our pastor told us to use it before setting out for work. I was already at the gate, so I went back and anointed myself. So, as I was reading in the bus, suddenly there was a blast about 6:40am.”

Iyoho later described the proximity of the blast and the extent of havoc it wreaked. “It happened between the first and the third bus at the park and I was in the third one,” he added.

Iyoho said, “The explosive blew only once and fire caught a lot of people in the queue. The heavy casualty we had mostly came from the long queue because as I stepped down, everybody in the queue was dead. And the two buses ahead of mine also didn’t have any survivor.

Those who managed to survive had either their hands or legs cut off.

“Some people from the bus I boarded were also dead before I rushed out. As a journalist, I removed my phone and started taking pictures before I remembered to call my family members and told them I was okay. And I later went to the hospital to see other casualties.”

He described as prompt the arrival of the men of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) at the scene of the attack, “The attack happened at 6:40am and at exactly 7am, the NEMA officials were already there for the rescue operation,” he noted.

He admitted that there were regular checks at the park but noted they were only to ascertain if passengers had boarding tickets.

Iyoho said to avoid a recurrence passengers’ luggage should be screened to avoid arms trafficking.

On possible suspicion of how the attack was executed, Iyoho remarked: “There was no way I could suspect anything because it happened too sudden, but when I stepped down, what I heard is that some guys drove in, dropped something and zoomed off. And that was a grievous allegation; it might well be what happened because if someone had planted something there in the night, he might have been seen because even at night, the park is very busy.”

Another survivor, Raphael Imoh, who was at the park said, “My whole body went numb, and then I felt a sharp pain on my leg. When I looked down, I discovered my shoes were torn off my feet and I was bleeding on my right leg.

I thank God for my life because of the kind of things I saw there, honestly it was terrible. I just thank God.” Inadequate facilities

Lack of medical facilities at the nearby Nyanya General Hospital and ambulances for the evacuation of the critically injured at the park might have contributed to the high casualty figure, some of the eyewitnesses told New Telegraph on Saturday.

It was learnt that those initially rushed to the hospital were later evacuated to either Asokoro General Hospital or National Hospital, which are several kilometres from the scene of the blast.

A doctor, who gave his name simply as Reuben, confirmed that those brought to the hospital were only stabilised before being transferred to hospitals in Asokoro and Maitama.

“Many had amputated lower and upper limbs; some were unconscious and critically injured,” he added.

A woman, Gift Emmanuel, whose brother, Danjuma, was injured in the blast, said her

I cannot remember how I got here. I only saw myself on the ground brother was brought to Nyanya hospital but had to be transferred to another hospital with better facilities.

“They said he is critically injured and should be transferred to the National Hospital for proper medical attention,” she said.

Some of the dead were also evacuated from the scene in wheelbarrows and Hilux vans.

Some of the eyewitnesses were visibly angry wondering why enough body bags were not made available to evacuate the dead.

Four suicide bombers

Although there were conflicting reports on the car used by the bombers as some said they actually came in a Volkswagen Golf which parked in front of the mass transit buses, many of the eyewitnesses said there were four insurgents in the vehicles.

New Telegraph on Saturday learnt that when the bomb was detonated, the bombers opened the car and were running away but were caught by the explosion which killed them along with the commuters and others waiting to board vehicles.

The photograph of one of the bombers went viral on the internet a few hours after the explosion. He also had a picture of a child believed to be his son placed on his stomach.

The dead bomber’s body also had IED wires tied to his thighs as well as several charms on the body of the bomber.

Bombers, Volkswagen Golf and Opel

Going by the spate of suicide bombings carried out by the Boko Haram, the terrorists group seems to find either Volkswagen Golf or Opel Vectra useful for their heinous crimes. The two cars are German made.

On September 23, 2012, a bomber driving an Opel Vectra rammed into the gates of St. John’s Catholic Cathedral in the Batyan Gari area of Bauchi, killing at least three persons and injuring many others.

Eyewitnesses said the explosion occurred shortly after 9am during an early morning

FEATURES

51

mass.

On March 18, 2013, at the Kano bus station, a Volkswagen Golf packed with explosives and driven by three suicide bombers sped to five buses, which were being boarded by civilians going to either to either the east or south part of the country Nigeria. The car hit one of the buses and exploded resulting in the death of some of the passengers. After the explosion, people started evacuating from the remaining buses.

A fire spread to the four remaining buses, many of which still had passengers in them.

An auto mechanic, who craved anonymity said the cost and the strength of the two brands might have made them easy choice for the bombers.

He said, “Generally, vehicles made by the Germans are usually strong. If you look at the Bauchi explosion of 2012, the bomber tried to ram the Golf into the gate of the church. His belief was that the vehicle was strong enough to force the church’s gate open. It is not all cars you can do that with.

“Besides, the two cars are cheap. You can get either of them for between N500, 000 and N600, 000 depending on your bargaining power. They are readily available when you go to Cotonou and even at the Lagos Port.

“If you look at the speedometre of Vectra for instance, it is 240. Any vehicle that has that must be very strong and they move fast. The two are commonly used as taxis in the north.”

Lucky mum, daughter survive

Although she is still in pains, Gloria Adams was elated at the news that her 10-month-old daughter survived the blast.

While Adams was at the Intensive Care Unit of Wuse General Hospital, her daughter, Goodness, was at Asokoro Hospital.

The initial report was that Adams had died while her daughter survived. An elated Adams said, “I cannot remember how I got here. I only saw myself on the ground, turning and turning. Then someone came and removed the baby. I’m feeling better.

Many have died, but I am alive. I give glory to God.” Doctors said the 10-month-old did not sustain any injury in the blast, apart from a slight swelling on her left eye, which was being monitored.

Talking Point NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

19 APRIL 2014

Would you like to tell us what NPG, the Nsukka Professionals Group is all about?

IT is an association of accomplished professionals and business elite from Enugu North Senatorial Zone in Enugu State. It is a group that tries to use intellectual approach to solving the socio-economic and political problems in the zone. It is a group of professionals in different fields of endeavour most of whom are not really looking for help but providing help to others.

The focus is how to unify the forces in Nsukka to bring the zone to the level that it should be.

Looking back home, we have got enormous economic and natural resources; we have human resources in abundance. I think that a zone with over 100 professors in different disciplines and teaching in various institutions of higher learning across Nigeria is not doing badly academically. You can then imagine how many doctorate degree holders we have and how many other professionals there are in the zone.

We think that the society has given us a lot but we have not returned as much dividend to our own society. And we believe that the best way to do it is through synergy, getting unified as a group here, reaching out to other like minded associates within and outside Nigeria and then making sure that everybody is playing one role or the other to bring about socio-economic development and human empowerment.

How far has the association been able to achieve its set objectives?

It has not been easy; it has been as daunting as it could be. But because we are determined to make headway, we are succeeding.

The first success is that this is the only Nsukka association that has survived two to three election periods without disintegrating.

All the associations that came up before NPG went down with the same election or political regime that threw it up. But this time around, we sat down together and said that this piecemeal approach does not work. We asked ourselves ‘are we forming a political association or are we forming a political association in the sense of not being partisan?’ The moment we resolved that it is an association focused on the betterment of the society and not on the acquisition of power itself by a member, we stood on that.

The association was formed in 2008 and till today it is still surviving. So, that is one achievement.

Again this is the second public outing we are having by way of intellectualisation of the challenges of the Nsukka zone. We had one in 2012 and it was a very well attended symposium.

The contributions made at the forum have been documented into a book. So, either now or in 10 years time, somebody can pick up that book and will not be searching or scratching to find out the challenges or issues requiring attention in Nsukka. The issues are already there; it is the solutions that we are now looking for.

We have also intervened in so many social issues affecting the zone quietly as a pressure group. We have ensured that we reach out to others. Today, we are working with Nsukka USA and we pivotally worked assiduously to create a forum that is known as Nsukka Hub. We have been looking for opportunities to get all the reasonable Nsukka people that have the time to commit to the society together to see how we can create the synergy that is required to move the zone forward.

52

To solve a problem, you must first intellectualize it –Sam Otoboeze Sam Otoboeze is secretary, Nsukka Professionals Group (NGP). He speaks on the essence of the group’s political summit slated for today at Nsukka Currently, we are organising another summit with the theme “NPG 2014: An Agenda for Paradigm Shift”. It is a follow up to the 2012 summit.

What shape is the summit going to take?

But this one is focusing on ensuring that we have a well-defined roadmap for the zone.

The first attempt was a general discussion about our issues. But this time around, we have seen the problems and are seeing other emerging issues. So, this current summit is a synthesising effort to chart a roadmap that anybody within this age or in the generation to come would say this is the roadmap for this society – the Nsukka cultural zone.

Secondly, we are working towards a paradigm shift. We want to ensure that the roadmap will help to bring about the transformation of the psyche of our people and a re-orientation of the people that will make our people come out of their shells and stand out and say ‘here I am’. So, the summit will be focusing on the psychological re-orientation and liberation of the mind. It will provide an opportunity to define other ways to cascade the thoughts and the discussion of the elite group down the line to the minutest level.

Also in the summit, we are looking at an opportunity to create more political awareness among our people. A zone that is being bequeathed, if you will, with an opportunity to present a governor should be vibrating more than I think it is currently doing. So, the summit will serve as a kind of wake-up call on our people.

Yes, power is never dashed but when it is given it should be appreciated that we are truly qualified and have been waiting for the opportunity.

A lot of people that attended your 2012 summit came out feeling that Nsukka needs practical solutions to her problems and not the theories you espoused. Don’t you think that such people are right given the level of poverty in the zone?

That reasoning defines the average Nigerian especially in the contemporary age — a society in the haste. You see, bringing about a permanent solution to any problems starts with the intellectualization of the problems. This is because it has never helped in the past and will not help in the present. What we did was what we intended doing. The result it provided was what we expected out of it. We are not expecting any miracle.

We are expecting a kind of gradual approach by defining the problems, identifying the solutions and working to address one at a time. There is no government that will work and succeed without having a framework, understanding and then

Otoboeze

adopting a methodical approach to solving the problems.

So, when is an ordinary Nsukka man expected to benefit from your brainstorming exercises?

The benefit has started coming even now.

You may ask me how. The benefit is that people have got together and are getting together to discuss general problems and opportunities available to Nsukka people. In that way, the next thing to do is to try to deal with these problems and who is to deal with them? You need the man at the lowest level of the society. So, it is not a quick-fix solution.

And who are the people to do it? These are the people that are being invited to attend the summit. The chiefs, intellectuals, local council chairmen, members of the House of Assembly, members of the National Assembly, political aspirants, student union leaders, youths and a whole lot of political, business and the traditional classes. These are the people that will take the message down to the people.

If you look at Nsukka today, there appears to be a lack of voice. Nobody is talking but everybody is talking and in that way nobody is talking.

So, we want to create an opportunity for a single voice and that is why NPG is made up of professionals that have solutions to problems of society based on their areas of expertise.

You talked about using the summit to prepare the ground for the governorship quest of the zone. How do you really want to achieve that in the summit?

We have subject matter experts in different fields and a subject matter expert is going to discuss that. I don’t want to preempt him. So, I want to leave that for the expert that has been assigned to handle that.

What actually is NPG doing towards realising

the governorship target come 2013 outside the summit? As you rightly noted, the political tempo in Nsukka does not indicate that the zone is warming up to latch on the governor’s pronouncement and produce the next governor?

I think that this is a question that will be asked on the floor during the summit. That is why we have made it a topical issue at the summit. Yes, the governor has made a pronouncement but the governor requires the support of the people for that pronouncement to come to fruition. But, it does appear that the society is too quiet at this point. Are we just staying quiet until the time comes and the governor will announce who will succeed him? I think that is against the tenets of democracy. Democracy is about the people choosing who they like to govern them.

So, those who are interested need to be talking to the people they are going to govern. It is not an Nsukka issue alone. They need to talk to the man in Udi, Ezeagu, Enugu, Awkunanaw, Nike, Awgu and so on. So, NPG wishes to see more vibrancy in the system.

Is NPG working towards ensuring that Nsukka people present only one candidate in the election?

Of course, at the end of the day, it is only one candidate that will occupy the Enugu governorship seat. Certainly, we won’t be happy to see a repeat of what happened in the past where almost everybody came out for one position. So, we will be really interested in ensuring or synergising to ensure that the best gets the position and continue from where the incumbent governor, Mr. Sullivan Chime will stop in the quest to make Enugu the state of first choice in the country. It has been demonstrated that it is possible. That is why one of the topics for discussion at the summit will be on governance and continuity challenge.

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 19 april 2014

PERSPECTIVE

53

No such thing as the Nigerian Dream

J

ust before boarding a Kenya Airways flight from Lagos to Nairobi, I decided to do a visual assessment of fellow passengers who waited with me in the departure hall of Murtala Mohammed International Airport. We were a mixed bag of traders: ladies who were going to Istanbul en route Nairobi to buy jewelry, clothes and shoes which they would on return, off load to their shops in Lagos. Businessmen clutching leather brief cases adorned in suits. (I couldn’t think why anyone would want to wear a business suit on a 6-hour flight to Nairobi!) Tourists in jeans, T-shirts and windcheaters. The wind cheaters were a great idea as I was wont to find out; the weather in Kenya can be cold by Nigerian standards.

Each person’s mood betrayed their disposition. Traders were restless, overtly concerned about baggage rates that would be charged on their return flights. A lot of the businessmen kept checking the clock, wondering if we would make the ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) to the heart of East Africa .

For me, merely observing these people, was a lesson in subconscious communication: the gestures and idiosyncrasies we unwittingly let out of us can reveal a lot.

A six-foot five man stood in front of the ticket attendant and I began to experience the customer’s inalienable laconic right of choice. His huge light skinned frame was on a quest to get a seat that would suit him most in economy! By the time he finished he was almost as comfortable as a person in first class. The trick, he told me, is to ask for a seat near the exit so that you can have leg room. Two hours after we took off I began to get locked into the in-flight entertainment. I

had selected two movies I would watch from the plastic screen on the back of the passenger’s seat in front of me. But at a point, the earphones hurt so I decided to discard them.

Perhaps the pilot was timing me because at that point he chose to announce that we were flying over Democratic Republic of Congo in Central Africa. The pilot emphasized that it took precisely one hour to fly over Congo which is bigger than the United Kingdom and possibly the richest country in the world with regard to mineral resources. The largest deposits of diamonds and bauxite are found in this country. But much like Nigeria, although Congo is rich in mineral deposits, it is one of the worlds poorest nations since a majority of the people of the country do not feel the impact of this wealth due to persistent conflicts.

My quest in East Africa was to challenge members of major Industrial Union to improve on their levels of communication at work. Such concepts as “group thinks, group speaks” were brought in my presentations.

Our hotel, on Accra street around Nairobi’s Central Business district, was an ideal location for the organizational behavior based discussions I was to lead. One key story I like

T

More than a plea

hese are not fun times in our country. Boko Haram has made certain of that. Bombing Abuja, abducting female students, killings, maiming, kidnapping and all sort of mayhem has been unleashed on the nation.

Nobody is safe. Muslims, Christians, animist and even Sango worshippers are all targeted by this marauding henchmen. It makes me recall the days of Anini and other armed robbers that terrorized us in the ‘80s. Those days, we thought we were witnessing real terror, when Aninii and his band of merry men unleashed a reign of terror on Benin and its environs.

We all thought this was the ultimate in terror merchandising. All sort of myths were woven around the person of Lawrence Anini and he really lived up to the billing until he was caught and we all heaved a sigh of relief.

What we are facing now has made Anini’s reign look like a kindergarten party. Men, these people are invincible. Bombs? Nothing and nobody is spared and our security people are finding it extremely difficult to contain these “idiots”.

Well I have decided to stand up and be counted. These are no longer times for cowardice. I hereby register my protest. Boko Haram and its promoters must seize this campaign and begin to use other means to achieve their particular demand. The bloodshed especially the killing of innocent children and women is becoming nauseating. It is revolting and to say the least annoying.

What do you plan to achieve bombing and

BUSINESS SENSE ALEX OGUNDADEGBE alexogundadegbe@gmail.com

to share with participants at these courses is that of a nosey reporter who visits a work site. At the site three workers are doing the same job: they are breaking stones. The reporter asks each worker the same question: What are you doing? Each worker has a different answer to the question: Worker 1: Can’t you see! I’m breaking stones!

Worker 2: I’m earning a living Worker 3 We are building the world’s greatest cathedral. The place you are standing in is the children’s auditorium.

We do not need to point out the person with the best attitude. The dominant thoughts of a person cannot be divorced from his attitude. The behavior of people in organizations, countries, families and indeed any given environment is determined by the motivational level of the people, their attitude as well as the attitudes of these with strong influence over these people.

Our jobs as managers, influencers and concerned people are to ensure that our communication encapsulates the mission and vision of the body we belong to. The right environment, the right mindset and the right communication

EDGAR’s WORLD JOSEPH EDGAR josephsamsponedgar@gmail.com

maiming innocent people , who have done nothing wrong but choose the wrong place to stand or urinate. People who even under normal circumstances find it very difficult to survive, yet you kill them to achieve what. This senseless killings have to stop, there is no more time for media sound bites and fake anger; we need to be very constructive in dealing with this matter.

This is not just an issue for the federal government. APC should stop playing politics with it. This is a national tragedy that needs everybody’s support in quenching. The civilian population has a major role to play in this.

These terrorists mingle with the civilian population in planning and executing their dastardly act. All suspicious movements and strangers

should be put under strict surveillance and reported immediately once we notice unholy movements. We must all be alive to our responsibilities as citizens of this country.

Kai, this is too much, I m so filled with righteous anger as I write. I have been wanting to join this fight, but my mother has been holding me back. I wish I was an orphan with no blood ties, I would have been a man and joined one of the services to fight against wanton destruction and carnage. Churches, parks, schools everywhere have been bombed. Our school kids, little girls, elderly citizens everybody - Kai this is madness. I cry as I write this. Sleep has eluded me and I cannot eat each time I see these pictures.

But wait, some great politician had

are key in this regard. But in a situation where those at the helm say one thing and do another, an element of distrust creeps out and is passed down the ladder. This process is what results in major conflicts that we see breaking out around us. Those are the things we see in Congo, Kenya and Nigeria today.

These collective frustrations of mostly restive youths around the world were also revealed to me on a trip to Kenya. Holed up in a hotel in freezing weather, I watched Jeff Koinange, former CNN Correspondent interview Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on Kenyan TV . The former Nigerian President spoke about the “African Winter” the African version of what was then known as the European Spring. It was all about youths up in arms demonstrating societies lack of care for them.

At yet another event this time back home ai Whispering Palms, Badagry, in Lagos, I was speaking to a group of newly recruited management trainees who were to work for a multinational in Nigeria. I decided to get the 23 youths who were fresh from university, involved in my presentation. So I said “repeat after me, I believe in Nigeria!” The response was shallow. I am sure that less than three people repeated what I said. It was only when I said they should shout that they believe in the corporate entity they were to work for and also that they believe in themselves that I got any measure of response. I got an ovation for my presentation. But I left the hall of Whispering Palms worried and troubled for our dear nation. The experience cuts across the continent. But it’s worst in Nigeria. There is no such thing as the Nigerian dream.

- Ogundadegbe is a farmer, writer, teacher and speaker.

He can be reached at alexogundadegbe@gmail.com

his son’s wedding at the epicentre of this crises with no incident. All the VIP guest all come and go safely. It makes me think.

Not that I wished them evil, but it makes me wonder if these Boko Haram are really invincible or there is a remote control somewhere with respect for some powerful individuals, who can party and frolic in peace and only for carnage to be unleashed immediately after. I’m just thinking o.

This is final warning to these people. It’s not threat o, it’s just a plea. Whatever is the issue, we can talk. We will stop going to school, we will even stop speaking English and start dressing like you guys, we will all convert to your brand of Islam, just stop the killings and bombings. It is ok. I m really begging.

To the commander, please don’t be irked by the beginning of this article, all the bragging I was making, it was because there has been power outage and the heat got into my head; I was not warning or threatening you o. Just help us with a ceasefire at least let us bury and mourn our dead in peace and we will be willing to invite you to the National Conference to discuss your matter, or better still we can even convene a new one anywhere you want, Libya, Cameroun, Adamawa, anywhere, just stop killing us.

If you want to contact me for further discussions call me on my NITEL number, or send me a text through your TV set and I will surely get it and make myself available.

Enough is enough.

54 MILESTONES Cowards die many times before their deaths. The valiant never taste of death but once. Of all the wonders that I have yet heard, it seems to me most strange that men should fear, seeing that death, a necessary end, will come when it will come.

- Shakespeare Akpo Daniyan

I

got my love for writing from my father.

And my sweet tooth. And my looks. He’s responsible for my quick wit (which I have always loved), my vertically challenged height (which I have never minded) and my pudgy hands (which I have always hated). No, not true. I started to love my pudgy hands a few weeks back. Because, these hands, along with my seven siblings and a million incredible memories, are all I have left of my dad. On February 20, this year, my father, Chief Gordon Emanyan Umukoro, left this side of eternity.

My dad was in my life for over forty years and I always assumed I would have him in my life for much, much longer. It didn’t matter that when I was five or younger, he almost lost his life in a random car accident; it didn’t matter that, when I became an adult, he had a medical condition that had been a death sentence for others before him or that Benjamin Franklin had warned eons ago that nothing was sure but death and taxes. I never thought there would be a day when I wouldn’t be able to say “ Daddy” to my father and that there would be a day that he wouldn’t be around to call me “ Akpomikpokpo” (his pet name for me, which, by the way, is more lyrical in sound than letter). That of course doesn’t make sense but it explains why, more than a month after his death, I’m still hoping I’d wake up and find it would all be a sad, mad dream.

Daddy was Nigeria’s Deputy Permanent Delegate to UNESCO in Paris, where I was born. By virtue of his position, he was one of the few African who attended the UNESCO reception for the three astronauts when they donated the Moon Rock to UNESCO. He returned to Nigeria, distraught, when he lost his father suddenly.

Married for 53 years, my parents were blessed with eight children. The sixth child and last girl, I grew up in a home where it was normal to have a full house of guests and relations, where I danced all day to daddy’s eclectic music collection that ranged from Omokomoko (a popular urhobo folk singer) to international stars singing in French and English, where at three or four, I was reciting Shakespeare as it played on the Stereo. And of course, we were surrounded by books, books, and more books.

Every school term, we younger kids went on more road trips than the fictitious Mr. Giwa went road Nigeria with his family in the primary school Reader, traveling on the Old Benin-Ibadan highway with my parents to visit our siblings at Ilorin (secondary school) or Ibadan (University). For us, the trips were long but never boring .We had enormous fun eating Sagamu Suya and my father kept us entertainment with stories and games while we urged him to go faster so we could be “ Kings of the Road” (ahead of all cars). He often obliged us while mum shrieked in fear.

I recall my father taking over the kitchen on the occasional weekend to cook some delicacy or the other. “Daddy’s specials,” we called them, the preparations as much fun

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 19 april 2014

Daddy’s hands as the meal itself. Once the meal du jour was pigeon and while we squeaked in alarm at the thought of eating pigeon, it tasted delightful when it was cooked.

One of the (highly infrequent) times mum was out of town, I being the oldest and only female at home attempted to cook bitter leaf soup. Big mistake. It was beyond bad. My younger brothers spat out the meal and declared I was attempting to poison them; and I eight, or nine-year-old Miss Cook, couldn’t stomach it. But daddy didn’t just eat it; he made sure he left noth-

Umukoro

ing on his plate.

Neither mum nor dad believed in sparring the rod and spoiling the child. Mum was the family disciplinarian but it was daddy’s “ koboko” we feared. His punishments were infrequent but somehow hurt more. We learnt from him early on that truth was not to be compromised. I recall at age four or five, dad lining us all up and spanking us one after the other because an Nku cream jar had been broken and the culprit refused to own up.

There was a time when my grades were abysmal and I spent the time waiting to be picked up from school in terrified thought of the spanking that was sure to come. Daddy looked at my results in silence, took a look at my face and told me to get into the car. Even though as an Educationist, he must have been appalled, I did not get the spanking or scolding I so richly deserved. That was the last time I failed at school. When I gained admission to the university at fifteen, my parents were reluctant to let me go all the way to Ibadan. I was too young, I had never been away from home, and I wouldn’t be able to handle the academic workload were several valid arguments that made no difference to a sulking teenager. But my parents brought us up to voice our opinions. And often we not only had our say but our way too. To my

parents credit, they allowed themselves to be persuaded by my brother, who was just four years older than me, that whatever happened, it would be a good experience for me. When I graduated four years later, my proud parents were by my side. They were by my side when I, no longer a teenager but still as stubborn as ever, insisted on getting married. Dad expressed his reservations; he didn’t think it was a good fit. I was adamant so my parents gave there blessing and supported me all the way. When the marriage went the way of all flesh, I realised what a good judge of character my father was. Yet he never said “I told you so.” All he was only concerned that I was okay.

Talking about marriages, you could call daddy the true Mr. Nigeria. He allowed his children to marry whomever they chose and ended up with sons- and daughters- in law from the North, East and West. Even those of his children who came home to the SouthSouth got spouses from Edo state! I used to joke that he must have been relieved when one son chose an urhobo wife but in all honesty, a person’s tribe was of no consequence to him. What mattered to him was character.

Joseph mourned his father Jacob for seventy days. I’m hoping that the tears would flow less in that space of time and that I would be able to fully concur with the Hebrew proverb that states, “ Say not in grief that he is no more - but live in thankfulness that he was.”

So, daddy, while I trust that by God’s grace, we’ll meet again on the other side of eternity, someday, today I will be thankful.

Thank you, Daddy, for teaching me the strength of integrity, for giving me courage to trust my voice, and most of all Daddy, thank you for my hands.

The song is ended but The melody lingers on.

Irving Berlin Daniyan is lead consultant at SYGYZY CONSULTING

16 years after a lone child, Chris Uche celebrates triplets’ birthday Amadi Nnamdi Abuja

O

n Saturday, April 12, Barr. Chris Uche (SAN) and his wife, Ijeoma, treated friends and well wishers to a lavish party to mark the joint birthday of their triplets: Valerie, Vanessa and Chris who clocked two years and also that of their older daughter, Princess, who clocked three years.

“I had one child for 16 years and eventually God blessed me with Princess and the triplets. So I am so grateful to God, that is why we are thanking him and we will keep thanking him,” enthused Mrs Ijeoma Uche, the childrens mother.

Little wonder the joy of the couple knew no bound as they were visibly elated all through the well attended event which could be likened to a “Disney-land party” as one of the invited kids said excitedly.

The palatial home of the Uches located in the highbrow Maitama area of Abuja, was transformed into an amusement park for kids with lots of toys, beautiful decorations, balloons, coloured paintings, cartoon characters and a bouncing castle inflated for kids to jump and have fun. And, indeed,

Barrister Chris Uche, his wife and the children, Chris, Princess, Vanessa and Valerie during the party.

they had so much fun as they also went home with bumper souvenir packs filled wit lots of toys and goodies.

The parents and guardians too were not left out as they also had lots of funfilled side attractions to make the day a remarkable one.

Thereafter, later in the evening, there was a Jazz nite-out for adults. The Rhythm

PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN.

and Sax band reeled out melodious tunes to the admiration of guests.

“After the rain comes sunshine,” the visibly elated Senior Advocate of Nigeria, said.

“Anybody that knows the history of the coming of these children will understand that this is an event that ought to be celebrated as we celebrated it in appreciation to God,” he added.

NBBF congratulates Ogwumike

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SPORT EXTRA

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 19 april 2014

he Nigeria Basketball Federation has congratulated Nigerian-American basketball star, Chinenye Ogwumike, who was picked first overall by the Connecticut Sun in the 2014 WNBA Draft.

Chinenye, who replicated her older sister Nneka’s stellar career in Stanford, joins her stand-out sibling in the WNBA which the federation says “typify the relentless and resilient Nigerian spirit.”

The NBBF is particularly excited with the huge interest both Chinenye and Nneka have in helping to develop especially women’s basketball in Nigeria for which discussions opened when Chinenye was in Nigeria for her internship last year.

The federation wished both girls a successful career in the WNBA and thanks their family for encouraging and supporting them to maintain regular touch with and giving back to their Nigerian roots.

F’Eagles shun holiday, coach drops three

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igeria U-20 team shunned the holiday festivities to train on Good Friday at the practice pitch of the Abuja National Stadium.

Also, three players have been dropped from the squad preparing for next month’s African Youth Championship qualifier against either Kenya or Tanzania.

The players are midfielders Uche Okereke and Fidelix Irene and goalkeeper Zaradeen Usman.

There are now 34 players in the team’s training camp in Abuja.

Bernard Bulbwa, Chidera Eze and Ahmed Umar trained outside the main squad as they are nursing injuries.

Bulbwa has a groin in-

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Sani Kaita training with Enyimba Charles Ogundiya

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jury, Eze is nursing a hamstring strain and Umar has a knock on his right knee.

Chidiebere Nwakali, who also has a knee complaint, took part in all the training drills, but did not feature in the two-a-side game as he has yet to start kicking a football.

The Flying Eagles will play another test match on Saturday morning against Nationwide side Dabo Babes of Kano.

The match will kick off at 7am at the FIFA Goal Project in Abuja.

Manu Garba

uper Eagles midfielder at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Sani Kaita, is currently training with Enyimba of Aba with the hope of sealing a three months contract with the team.

The former Dream Team star was sighted training with the team, and according to a source in the team, he will be joining the club on a three-month loan making him available for transfer when the European transfer window opens in June.

Speaking with New Telegraph on the telephone, the assistant coach of Enyimba, Imama Amakapabo, confirmed that Kaita has been training with the team.

“Yes, he is training with us, but I can’t answer the other question about whether he has signed for the team, that is left for the management, but of course we will love to have him in the team. He can add his wealth of experience to the team,” he said.

Kaita’s last Nigeria Premier League side was Kano Pillars before his sojourn in Europe where he featured for clubs like Sparta Rotterdam, Monaco, Rubin Kazan and Lokomotiv Moscow. His last know club was Olympiakos Nicosia in Cyprus.

Martinez expects good reception for Moyes ... Mata backs coach to revive Man United

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Mata

verton boss Roberto Martinez expects predecessor David Moyes to be given a warm welcome when Manchester United visit Goodison Park on Sunday.

Martinez, 40, succeeded Moyes when the 50-year-old Scot left the Toffees last summer to replace the retiring Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford.

And the Spaniard says Everton fans should recognise Moyes’s achievements in his 11 years at the club.

“His job at Everton deserves that - his work has been terrific,” Martinez said.

And Moyes was given a hostile reception by the visiting fans during the Premier League match between the sides at Old Trafford in December, which Everton won 1-0.

Meanwhile, Manchester United’s record signing Juan Mata is confident the team will become a force under manager David Moyes.

Monte Carlo Masters: Nadal, Djokovic, Federer win

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afael Nadal earned his 300th victory on clay by beating Andreas Seppi 6-1 6-3 at the Monte Carlo Masters.

The world number one is only the 11th man to reach the landmark - with fellow Spaniard Carlos Moya, who retired in 2007, the last to do so.

Defending champion Novak Djokovic dropped one game on his way to beating Pablo Carreno 6-0 6-1.

Roger Federer joins them in the quarter-final following his 6-4 6-1 win over Lukas Rosol.

Nadal, who has secured two titles in 2014, will play compatriot David Ferrer,

who beat Bulgarian world number 14 Grigor Dimitrov 6-4 6-2.

“I did what I had to,” said top seed Nadal. “But playing David (Ferrer) is never easy. If you are not at the top of your game, you will lose. I’m just glad to be in a quarter-final.”

Djokovic, who ended Nadal’s eightyear Monte Carlo winning run in 2013, won the first nine games on his way to beating Carreno, ranked 60 places below him in the world.

“My object is to keep playing like this,” said the Serb, who needed just 47 minutes to progress.

Nadal

United, who have not finished lower than third in the top flight since 1991, currently lie seventh.

“Even before I came, things were difficult here, so I knew I wasn’t coming to a side that was going to win, win and win,” said Mata, 25.

“But I knew that this club was going to come back and that the future was going to be bright.”

Moyes, who replaced Sir Alex Ferguson as manager last July, is set to miss out on Champions League qualification, with United on course for their worst season in the Premier League, a year after finishing top.

Suarez

Sturridge

Liverpool’s Suarez, Gerrard, Sturridge on PFA award shortlist

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iverpool trio Luis Suarez, Steven Gerrard and Daniel Sturridge have received nominations for the Professional Footballers’ Association’s player of the year award.

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure, winger Eden Hazard of Chelsea and Southampton playmaker Adam Lallana complete the list.

Sturridge and Hazard have also been nominated for the young player award, along with Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling, Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey, Everton’s Ross Barkley and Southampton’s Luke Shaw.

Uruguay striker Suarez, 27, heads the Premier League scoring charts, netting 29 league goals for top-of-the-table Liverpool.

His strike partner Sturridge, 24, has scored 20 Premier League goals while captain Gerrard, 33, has contributed 13 goals and 11 assists for the freescoring Reds.

Ivorian Toure, 30, is Manchester City’s top league scorer with 18 goals from 31 appearances, while Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho acclaimed Hazard, 23, as ‘the best young player in the world’ in February after the Blues’ 1-0 win over City at the Etihad.

TRAVEL

SPORT Sanctity of Truth w ww. n ew te l e g r ap h on l i n e . c om

BAYELSA IN SPANKING SHAPE FOR AMAA’S SWARM OF STARS P.42

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icknamed Rabiu Plumber by his schoolmates, the Governor of Kano State has plumbed the depths of provocations and finally unearthed the gunk that incited his quarry, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, to infamy. The furious rebuke delivered against Kwankwaso by Jonathan on Tuesday in Kano would, in a different circumstance, be hilarious.

But not in these circumstances. The dark mood of a nation in bereavement, the gathering political, social and economic storms and the desperate search for peace and stability are starkly present and pressing. To find our leaders publicly spewing invectives at each other at these sobering times is a betrayal of the dignity, honour and lofty status of the respective offices they occupy.

Governor Kwankwaso is neither an honest nor a constructive critic of Jonathan or his administration. He has been a deliberate agent provocateur, determined to insult, vilify, belittle and render the President in a spectrum of caricatures. An intolerant, haughty and tribal zenophobe, Kwankwaso has shown scant respect for the office of the President. Nigerians know this and Jonathan ought to have known this, too. Consequently, therefore, all that Kwankwaso deserved from the President is complete ignominy on this occasion.

“The good people of Kano state are under the sway of an unprecedented phenomenon called Rabiu Kwankwaso, the rural aristocrat who is at present the state’s Chief Executive. Having been elected into office based on a liberal constitution, and having launched a total subversion of personal liberty and freedom, particularly the freedom to criticize his government. In so doing he can enjoy the privileges due an Executive Governor under our constitution and an Imam or Caliph in Islam, without being held accountable to the people or being answerable to any one for his policies. The result is the paradox of our times. We got rid of the military by electing dictators.”

– Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Kwankwaso Phenomenon, 2001.

If the President was aware of the above insights into the “phenomenon” that is Kwankwaso, he would have come to the rational conclusion that joining issues with the rural aristocrat would be an exercise in self-diminution. The President ought to have maintained the calm dignity that he displayed in the face of harsher criticisms and roiling provocations.

Kwankwaso is one critic bereft of any appreciation of the fact that opinions, no matter how loudly and obnoxiously brayed, are not facts. Nigerians voted for the president they “deserved” in 2011 and have less than 10 months to deliver another verdict. Kwankwaso is not, by any stretch of the imagination, the arbiter of

Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon and the truth – Buddha

SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 2014

MY FEARS FOR EAGLES – RUFAI P.25

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Kwankwaso and Jonathan: The descent into dishonour

BROADSIDE EMMANUEL ONWE agubata@aol.com

Kwankwaso is one critic bereft of any appreciation of the fact that opinions, no matter how loudly and obnoxiously brayed, are not facts their preferences.

Whilst it is acknowledged that in a democracy, it is not only permissible but mandatory for citizens to criticise their leaders when such leaders are headed in the wrong direction, but certain class of citizens, such as governors, carry a particular burden of responsibility that must steer them clear of arrogant chauvinism or reckless emotiveness. Above all, their station in society calls for sobriety in judgment and consideration in public pronouncements.

On Wednesday, the 26th of June 2012, Leadership, in its editorial, delivered a requiem in the most emphatic and audacious manner to both the substance and ghost of Decree No.4. President Jonathan, the target of the searing piece, lit perhaps

LIPSTICK

the brightest candle of his presidency by the unprecedented presidential maturity he displayed by according a silent accommodation to the editorial piece. For students of history who acknowledge and share Isaiah Berlin’s view that history is, essentially, the anecdotes of fragments and pieces, this fragment stands out. The freedom of expression is the indispensable pillar of democracy and great is the leader who promotes it.

“Maybe President Jonathan fled the country because he had no solution to the security threats engulfing it. In that case, the most honourable thing he should have done is resign as president and commander-in-chief of the armed forces of Nigeria. His continued stay in power, it seems, is a threat to the safety of life and property, especially as he appears clueless. It is on record that terrorism has held sway in most parts of the country since his emergence as the nation’s president.

Often careless with words, this president told the world, while on a visit to Australia in March this year, that Boko Haram would be history by June. Now, June is nearing its end but the spate of violence has escalated. Will he extend the deadline

during his trip to Brazil?” - Leadership Newspaper editorial, June, 20, 2012.

I can vividly recall a bygone era when an irreverent opinion of this nature would lead to brutality, imprisonment and torture. But Jonathan chose to offer a remarkable tribute to democracy. That little candle lit by the president might, in the final analysis, stand as the only luminous element in the vast darkness that threatens to envelope his legacy – recall Berlin, supra.

The spectacle of a school yard spat between our leaders in the face of our escalating condition of paralysis and terror is precisely what Nigerians do not deserve. The gleeful Kwankwaso may presume that he has scored a political point by dragging the president down to the sewage where he has erected a dominion for himself. But in the larger context of events, he has merely shown us how small his mind really is, how small his imagination, how small the context of his vision of leadership and, ultimately, how unproductive his contribution to the national dialogue.

In the same connection, the President had no business telling the Nigerian people that he gave money to Kwankwaso for the purposes of election. That he could make such a public declaration was evidence of either contempt for the laws of the republic or a catastrophic failure of judgment. Yes, the provocations were intolerable but it is precisely at that limit of endurance and tolerance that the full discipline of the presidential character asserts itself.

Unflappability and grace under fire are some of the indispensable ingredients of so exalted an office.

BY CHUKWUEMEKA EMENIKE

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